Abstract: An image sensor includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first substrate includes an active pixel region having a plurality of active pixels. A plurality of lower electrode structures is disposed on the second surface of the first substrate and corresponds to the plurality of active pixels. An upper electrode is disposed on the plurality of lower electrode structures. An organic photoelectric conversion layer is disposed between the plurality of lower electrode structures and the upper electrode. A second substrate is disposed on the first surface of the first substrate. A driving circuit configured to drive the plurality of active pixels is disposed on the second substrate. The plurality of lower electrode structures includes a first barrier layer, a reflective layer disposed on the first barrier layer and a second barrier layer disposed on the reflective layer.

Abstract: The resolution of narrow band imaging is improved, while color reproducibility is improved when performing white-light observation. Provided is an endoscope system including an image pickup device having three types of color filters, said types being blue, green, and magenta, and also including an image processor that generates an image by processing a signal acquired by the image pickup device. The image processor includes a ratio calculator that calculates the ratio between a blue signal and a magenta signal, and also includes a red-signal generator that generates a red signal based on the ratio calculated by the ratio calculator.

Abstract: An image processing method for processing a first image captured by a camera is provided, in which the first image is retrieved; and an output image is output to an image output circuit after the first image is modified to the output image, wherein a result value of each pixel of the output image is zero or a value generated by subtracting the threshold value from the brightness value of each pixel of the first image.

Abstract: An image processing method for processing a first image captured by a camera is provided, in which the first image is retrieved; and an output image is output to an image output circuit after the first image is modified to the output image, wherein a result value of each pixel of the output image is zero or a value generated by subtracting the threshold value from the brightness value of each pixel of the first image.

Abstract: An image processing system may process an image of indicia positioned behind a reflective surface. The indicia may be a vehicle identification number and the reflective surface may be a windshield of a vehicle. The image processing system may receive an initial image of the indicia positioned behind a reflective surface and process the initial image to produce a resulting image. In processing the initial image, the image processing system may identify an interest region of the initial image, where the interest region identifies a portion of the initial image affected by glare caused by the reflective surface, texturize the interest region to account for the glare, and remove a defocusing effect from the initial image to account for blur, reflection, or both, caused by the reflective surface. Then, the image processing system may extract data, such as the vehicle identification number, from the resulting image.

Abstract: An image processing system may process an image of indicia positioned behind a reflective surface. The indicia may be a vehicle identification number and the reflective surface may be a windshield of a vehicle. The image processing system may receive an initial image of the indicia positioned behind a reflective surface and process the initial image to produce a resulting image. In processing the initial image, the image processing system may identify an interest region of the initial image, where the interest region identifies a portion of the initial image affected by glare caused by the reflective surface, texturize the interest region to account for the glare, and remove a defocusing effect from the initial image to account for blur, reflection, or both, caused by the reflective surface. Then, the image processing system may extract data, such as the vehicle identification number, from the resulting image.

Abstract: High definition media content processing techniques are described in which enhanced media content rendering techniques may be performed to output high definition media content. In an implementation, luma keying may be provided to define clear pixels in a composite output using an optimum set of graphics processing instructions. In another implementation, techniques are described which may provide clear rectangles in a composite output of one or more video streams. Clear rectangles to appear in the composite output are configured by a media playback application. A texture is arrived at to represent a union of each of the clear rectangles and is applied to form the clear rectangles in the composite output. In another implementation, capture techniques are described in which an image to capture is resolved as strips to an intermediate texture and then from the texture to a capture buffer in system memory.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup unit generating image data, a selecting unit selecting any one of a first photographic mode that does not correct dark area gradation of the image data and a second photographic mode that corrects the dark area gradation of the image data, a gradation conversion processing unit performing a gradation conversion processing according to a first input-output characteristic when the first photographic mode is selected, and performing a gradation conversion processing according to a second input-output characteristic different from the first input-output characteristic when the second photographic mode is selected, and a correcting unit performing a correction of improving lightness of the dark area gradation of the image data when the second photographic mode is selected. Therefore, when correction of the dark area gradation is performed, the lightness of the whole image can be maintained while the contrast of a highlight area is improved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging element includes a substrate, and a plurality of color filters. A plurality of photoelectric conversion units is provided in the substrate. The plurality of color filters is provided respectively for the plurality of photoelectric conversion units. The plurality of color filters is configured to selectively transmit light of a designated wavelength band. Each of the plurality of color filters includes a stacked structure unit and a periodic structure unit. A plurality of layers having different refractive indexes is stacked in the stacked structure unit. A plurality of components is provided in the periodic structure unit at different periods according to the designated wavelength band and an incident angle of the light.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus that includes an array of color filters for green, red, and magenta colors arranged over a semiconductor substrate in the manner of a primary color Bayer pattern except a magenta color replaces the blue color. Light passing through the magenta color filter is integrated separately in a magenta pixel for a shallow photodiode signal and a deep photodiode signal in a first photodiode and a deeper second photodiode in the substrate, respectively. A mezzanine photodiode may be disposed between the first and second photodiodes and held at a fixed voltage level or reset multiple times during charge integration. A red pixel value for the magenta pixel is a function of the deep photodiode signal and an adjacent red pixel's red pixel signal. A minimum exists in its derivative with respect to the former at a value of the former that varies with the latter.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a first chip including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a light sensing unit generating a signal charge responsive to an amount of received light, and a plurality of MOS transistors reading the signal charge generated by the light sensing unit and outputting the read signal charge as a pixel signal, a second chip including a plurality of pixel drive circuits supplying desired drive pulses to pixels, the second chip being laminated beneath the first chip in a manner such that the pixel drive circuits are arranged beneath the pixels formed in the first chip to drive the pixels, and a connection unit for electrically connecting the pixels to the pixel drive circuits arranged beneath the pixels.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a color filter having repeatedly disposed basic array patterns configured with first and second array patterns disposed symmetrically about a point, wherein the first array pattern has a first filter placed at the 4 corner and center pixels of a 3×3 pixel square array, a second filter placed in a line at the horizontal direction center of the square array, and a third filter placed in a line at the vertical direction center of the square array, and the second array pattern has the same placement of the first filter as the first array pattern and has placement of the second filter and placement of the third filter swapped over to that of the first array pattern; and phase difference detection pixels placed at positions corresponding to the first filter at a top and bottom edge sides in the array pattern.

Abstract: A screen time control device includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. The processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An imager device including: an imager integrated circuit comprising a matrix of pixels, several first, second and third focusing means such that each focusing means is provided facing a group of four associated pixels forming a 2×2 matrix, and is capable of focusing light rays to the group of associated pixels, and perform focusing which are different and equivalent to an arrangement of groups of associated pixels at three distances which are different toward the inlet face for light rays in the imager device, fourth means capable of passing, with respect to each group of pixels, the light rays directed toward said group and passing through the focusing means associated with said group, and capable of blocking the light rays directed toward said group and passing through the other focusing means.

Abstract: A memory space configuration method applied in a video signal processing apparatus is provided. The method includes: arranging a first memory space and a second memory space in a memory, the first and second memory spaces being partially overlapped; determining a type of a signal source; when the signal source is a first video signal source, enabling a first processing circuit and buffering data associated with the first video signal source by using the first memory space; and, when the signal source is a second video signal source, enabling a second processing circuit and buffering data associated with the second video signal source by using the second memory space. The second processing circuit is disabled when the first processing circuit is enabled; the first processing circuit is disabled when the second processing circuit is enabled.

Abstract: A composite imaging element is provided that includes a first imaging element and a second imaging element. The first imaging element has a plurality of first opto-electrical conversion parts, a first light receiving surface, and a first circuit part. The first opto-electrical conversion parts are configured to receive light with a first basic color and a second basic color different from the first basic color. The first opto-electrical conversion parts are also configured to convert light received by the first opto-electrical conversion parts into a first electrical signal. The first light receiving surface is formed by the first opto-electrical conversion parts. The first circuit part transmits the first electrical signal. The second imaging element has a plurality of second opto-electrical conversion parts and a second circuit part. The second opto-electrical conversion parts receive light emitted from the first opto-electrical conversion parts.

Abstract: A pinned photodiode structure with peninsula-shaped transfer gate which decrease the occurrence of a potential barrier between the photodiode and the floating drain, prevents loss of full well capacity (FWC) and decreases occurrences of image lag.

Abstract: Imaging arrays comprising at least two different imaging pixel types are described. The different imaging pixel types may differ in their light sensitivities and/or light saturation levels. Methods of processing the output signals of the imaging arrays are also described, and may produce images having a greater dynamic range than would result from an imaging array comprising only one of the at least two different imaging pixel types.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting one or more events are provided. The techniques include using multiple overlapping regions of interest on a video sequence to cover a location for one or more events, wherein each event is associated with at least one of the multiple overlapping regions of interest, applying multiple-instance learning to the video sequence to select one or more of the multiple overlapping regions of interest to construct one or more location-aware event models, and applying the models to the video sequence to detect the one or more events and to determine the one or more regions of interest that are associated with the one or more events.

Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.

Abstract: The invention aims to solve the problem of eliminating the trade-off between the complexity of the digital image capture device and captured image reconstruction and the quality of the image. For this purpose, the invention provides a digital image capture sensor (18) including an array (16) of color filters, which array comprises a plurality of identical basic patterns (70) which are replicated with no overlap, each basic pattern being formed by color filters (72, 82, 84) which are pseudo-randomly arranged, such that each basic pattern (70) contains a variable pitch between two consecutive same-type color filters in the horizontal and/or vertical directions of the basic pattern.

Abstract: A video data processing apparatus includes: a contrast correction calculating section correcting the contrast of input luminance data by performing a calculation using a contrast correction value; an error diffusion section performing an error diffusion process on the luminance data whose contrast has been corrected; an error diffusion setting section setting whether to perform the error diffusion process at the error diffusion section; a correction value setting section detecting black and white peak values of an input luminance signal and setting the contrast correction value using the detected black and white peak values; and a correction amount adjusting section adjusting the contrast correction value set by the correction value setting section depending on whether the error diffusion process is performed at the error diffusion section according to an instruction from the error diffusion setting section and supplying the adjusted contrast correction value to the contrast correction calculating section.

Abstract: A color-unevenness inspection apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an inspection target for a color-unevenness inspection; an image generation section generating an uneven-color image by determining one or more uneven-color regions existing in the picked-up image of the inspection target obtained by the image pickup section, and by classifying unit regions included in each of the uneven-color regions into a plurality of color groups; a calculation section calculating, on the uneven-color regions in the uneven-color image, an evaluation parameter to be used in the color-unevenness inspection; a correction section making a correction to the calculated evaluation parameter in consideration of a difference of color-unevenness visibility between the color groups; and an inspection section performing the color-unevenness inspection, based on a resultant evaluation parameter obtained by the correction.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a color gamut conversion method that converts a color gamut of content data into a desired color gamut in accordance with the use of the content data; and a color gamut conversion unit for performing the color gamut conversion with respect to the content data by a method based on the control of the control unit.

Abstract: A camera module includes a circuit board having a supporting surface, a socket fixed on the supporting surface of the circuit board and defining a receiving space, an image sensor received in the receiving space, and a lens group optically coupled with the image sensor. The receiving space of the socket has an entrance and an internal surface. A block protrusion is formed on the internal surface. The block protrusion includes a first ramp extending from the internal surface to a center portion of the receiving space. The lens group includes a plurality of optical components. A slope parallel to the first ramp is formed on one of the optical components. At least part of the lens group is received in the receiving space and blocked by the block protrusion, with the first ramp resisting against the slope. A method for assembling the camera module is also provided.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of color filters arranged in a Bayer array; photoelectric conversion elements provided for the respective color filters; a signal adder circuit which carries out additions in each of the unit grids, by (i) adding up signals outputted from two photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to different colors of two color filters out of four color filters, and (ii) adding up signals outputted from two photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to remaining two color filters; and an A/D converter. The imaging element outputs: (i) a first digital image signal where signals of one color out of Ye (yellow) and Cy (cyan), and signals of G, are alternately placed; and (ii) a second digital image signal where signals of an other color out of Ye and Cy, which is different from the one color, and signals of Mg (magenta), are alternately placed.

Abstract: Light-splitting elements are arranged in at least two columns and two rows to form two pairs 1a, 1b and 1c, 1d. Each element splits incident light into light rays and makes them fall on a portion of a photosensing section right under itself and an adjacent photosensitive cell. The element 1a splits the incident light so that a primary color ray C1 and its complementary color ray C1? enter an adjacent cell 2b and an underlying cell 2a, respectively. The element 1b makes a primary color ray C2 and its complementary color ray C2? enter an underlying cell 2a and an adjacent cell 2a, respectively. The element 1c does the same as the element 1b. And the element 1d makes a primary color ray C3 and its complementary color ray C3? enter an adjacent cell 2c and an underlying cell 2d, respectively. These photosensitive cells 2 perform photoelectric conversion, thereby outputting an electrical signal representing the intensity of the incident light.

Abstract: A passive electro-optical tracker uses a two-band IR intensity ratio to discriminate high-speed projectiles and obtain a speed estimate from their temperature, as well as determining the trajectory back to the source of fire. In an omnidirectional system a hemispheric imager with an MWIR spectrum splitter forms two CCD images of the environment. Three methods are given to determine the azimuth and range of a projectile, one for clear atmospheric conditions and two for nonhomogeneous atmospheric conditions. The first approach uses the relative intensity of the image of the projectile on the pixels of a CCD camera to determine the azimuthal angle of trajectory with respect to the ground, and its range. The second calculates this angle using a different algorithm. The third uses a least squares optimization over multiple frames based on a triangle representation of the smeared image to yield a real-time trajectory estimate.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes photoelectric conversion parts formed on an image pickup surface of a substrate, where each photoelectric conversion part generates a signal charge by receiving incident light on a light reception surface thereof, and color filters formed on an image-pickup surface of the substrate, where each color filter allows the incident light to be colored by passing through. The photoelectric conversion parts are aligned in first and second directions and include first to third color filters. A surface on which the first color filter and the second color filter are laminated in the first direction is larger than a surface on which the first color filter and the third color filter are laminated in the second direction.

Abstract: An optical filter 2 is disposed on an image sensor 12 including a plurality of sensor pixels 12a which are aligned, and includes a elongated translucent substrate 4; a first optical filter layer 6 laminated on the translucent substrate 4, and a second optical filter layer 8 laminated on the first optical filter layer 6. The translucent substrate 4 includes a photodetecting part 4a which is long in the alignment direction X of the sensor pixels 12a and disposed on the image sensor 12; and a frame part 4b surrounding the photodetecting part 4a.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting one or more events are provided. The techniques include using one or more regions of interest on a video sequence to cover a location for one or more events, wherein each event is associated with at least one of the one or more regions of interest, applying multiple-instance learning to the video sequence to construct one or more location-aware event models, and applying the models to the video sequence to determine the one or more regions of interest that are associated with the one or more events.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a full-color output image from a color filter array image comprising capturing an image using an image sensor including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a rectangular minimal repeating unit wherein for a first color response, the color pixels having the first color response alternate with panchromatic pixels in at least two directions, and for each of the other color responses there is at least one row, column or diagonal of the repeating pattern that only has color pixels of the given color response and panchromatic pixels. The method further comprising, computing an interpolated panchromatic image from the color filter array image; computing an interpolated color image from the color filter array image; and forming the full color output image from the interpolated panchromatic image and the interpolated color image.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus includes an image sensor and an infrared component remover. The image sensor receives light through a color filter, the color filter including long-pass filters only or a combination of a long-pass filter and an all-transmissive filter. The long-pass filters in the color filter a visible-light transmissive long-pass filter for permitting a visible-light component and an infrared-light component to pass therethrough and an infrared-light transmissive long-pass filter for permitting an infrared-light component to pass selectively therethrough. The infrared-light component remover removes an infrared-light component contained in a signal having passed through the visible-light transmissive long-pass filter, with transmittance data of an infrared-light region of the visible-light transmissive long-pass filter and the infrared-light transmissive long-pass filter applied.

Abstract: The image capture device includes defect information storage unit in which defective pixel data is stored in advance; signal conversion unit adapted to covert pixel values of an image signal output from image capture unit to pixel values from which defective values are excluded; a defective pixel establishing unit, an image signal storage unit for storing defective values in terms of frame units chronologically and in order of address; and second comparison unit. The first comparison unit acquires defective pixel data in frame units in several increments from the defect information storage unit and compares the data with the image signal; once all of the defective pixel data has been acquired and compared, comparison of the image signal data and the defective pixel data will stop, and a comparison process will be carried out by the second comparison unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first optical system configured to focus an image of a subject on an imaging plane; a second optical system including a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the pixel blocks, and re-focusing the image of the imaging plane onto the pixel blocks corresponding to the respective microlenses; a first filter placed on the second optical system, and including a plurality of first color filters corresponding to the microlenses; and a second filter placed on the imaging element, and including a plurality of second color filters corresponding to the first color filters of the first filter. The first and second filters are designed so that the first and second color filters deviate to a periphery of the imaging area, the deviation becoming larger toward the periphery of the imaging area.

Abstract: A driving method used for a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: imaging an object for a first storage time when a shutter is open, in a first state that is a state where either at least a part of the peripheral circuitry is suspended or a consumption current of the peripheral circuitry is limited; imaging, in the first state, a dark output signal image including only a dark output for a second storage time when the shutter is closed; converting the dark output signal image to correspond to the image obtained for the first storage time and subtracting, from the signal image of the object, the converted dark output signal image or converting the dark output signal image to correspond to the image obtained for the second storage time and subtracting, from the signal image of the object, the converted dark output signal image.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a lens module and a printed circuit board. The lens module includes a substrate with a lens unit and an imaging sensor mounted on a same side thereof. The substrate defines a groove therein. The printed circuit board defines a recessed portion accommodating the substrate therein, and includes a locking member engaging in the groove to detachably secure the lens module thereto.

Abstract: A CMOS light detector configured to detect specific wavelengths of light includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor includes CMOS photocells that are covered by a colored filter layer of a first color that has a first transmittance that allows both light of the specific wavelengths and light of other wavelengths to pass. The second sensor including further CMOS photocells, at least some of which are covered by both a colored filter layer of the first color and a colored filter layer of a second color, stacked one above the other in either order, where the colored filter layer of the second color has a second transmittance that allows light of the other wavelengths to pass. The first sensor produces a first photocurrent, and the second sensor produces a second photocurrent, when light including both the specific and other wavelengths is incident upon the detector.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a camera is provided. The camera comprises a lens and a sensor to record an image focused by the lens in N color bands, wherein N equals a number of color bands, with the number and respective locations and widths of the N color bands being selected to optimize the image for processing.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a first calculation means for calculating a non-capture color signal corresponding to an H-th interpolation color for a pixel of interest, a second calculation means for calculating a non-capture color signal by multiplying a J-th capture color signal corresponding to the capture color for the pixel of interest by the ratio of the H-th two-dimensional low-pass filter output to the J-th two-dimensional low-pass filter output, and a third calculation means for calculating a non-capture color signal corresponding to the H-th interpolation color for the pixel of interest using the calculation result according to the first calculation means and the calculation result according to the second calculation means.

Abstract: A pattern mask for forming a microlens includes mask pattern parts alternately arranged and corresponding to pixel regions in a matrix, wherein neighboring corners of the mask pattern parts overlap with each other.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including: a substrate; a photoelectric conversion element for converting light to electric charges; and a color filter formed on the photoelectric conversion element for color separation. The color filter is a layered color filter including a dye-contained color filter layer and a pigment-dispersed color filter layer formed on the dye-contained color filter layer, the dye-contained color filter layer and the pigment-dispersed color filter layer having the same hue.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a photoelectric conversion portion for generating signal electric charges in accordance with an amount of incident light, a plurality of color filters, and a flattening layer formed on the plurality of color filters. A thickness of a projection or a recess on a surface of the flattening layer, provided on a region where color filters are adjacent to each other, is equal to or less than 0.2 ?m.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device that suppresses crosstalk of light in a semiconductor substrate that caused by diffraction of light is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solid-state imaging device comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a photoelectric conversion element that is provided in a semiconductor substrate and performs photoelectric conversion of incident light to store signal charges, a floating junction that is provided in the semiconductor substrate in the proximity of the photoelectric conversion element and temporarily stores signal charges, and a transfer transistor that transfers the signal charges stored in the photoelectric conversion element to the floating junction, wherein at least one transfer transistor includes a gate electrode extended to cover a corresponding photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: The present invention, in the various exemplary embodiments, provides a RGB color filter array. The red, green and blue pixel cells are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The honeycomb layout provides the space to vary the size of pixel cells of an individual color so that, for example, the photosensor of blue pixels can be made larger than that of the red or green pixels. In another aspect of the invention, depicted in the exemplary embodiments, the honeycomb structure can also be implemented with each pixel rowing having a same color of pixel cells which can simplify can conversion in the readout circuits. In another aspect of the invention, the RGB honeycomb pixel array may be implemented using a shared pixel cell architecture.

Abstract: Color filter arrays, methods of assembling color filter arrays, and systems containing color filter arrays. Color filter arrays are formed such that light entering through certain regions of the color filter array passes through multiple color filters to help prevent optical crosstalk and allow for tuning spectral responses.

Abstract: A method of processing digital video signals produced by a sensor that are to be presented on a viewfinder, the method involving: a first pair of processing operations for scaling and color interpolation; and a second pair of processing operations for the formation of a color matrix and for white balancing. The operations of at least one, and preferably of both of the pairs of processing operations are executed in a single step. The operation of white balancing is moreover performed only for one frame out of K frame in the frame sequence. The preferential application is in the construction of viewfinders for videocameras and digital still cameras.

Abstract: A color sensor comprises: light reception elements that generate color signals corresponding to stimulus values of colors in an RGB color system, the stimulus values of colors comprising a stimulus value of blue (B) and a stimulus value of red (R), wherein the light reception elements comprise a first light reception element that generates a red (R) color signal corresponding to the stimulus values of red (R); and a first portion that adds a signal corresponding to the stimulus value of blue (B) as a positive sensitivity component to one of: the first light reception element; and a red (R) color signal generated by the first light reception element.

Abstract: A color photo sensing structure, includes an array of multiple color photo sensing elements. The photo sensing structure includes a first pixel located laterally with respect to a second pixel in a substrate of a first conductivity. The first pixel includes a first doped region of a second conductivity formed in the substrate and a second doped region of a first conductivity formed in the substrate above the first doped region. The second pixel includes two doped regions formed in the substrate having a first conductivity and a second conductivity, respectively. The color photo sensing structure further includes a controller for sequentially providing a first photocurrent value of the first doped region, a second photocurrent value of both the first and second doped regions and a third photocurrent value of the two doped regions of the second pixel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing system, a program, and a recording medium that are capable of obtaining a wide dynamic range image in which the luminance is compressed. Assignment of the number of luminance gradation steps of an output level signal with respect to the level of a luminance signal to be input is different among the main area, second luminance area, and other ranges. For example, the number of all gradation steps is divided and assigned to a luminance range of the main area and a luminance range of the second luminance area, but is not assigned to the other ranges. Also, the number of steps that is smaller than that of the luminance range of the main area and the luminance range of the second luminance area is assigned to a luminance range between the main area and the second luminance area.