Abstract: In an CCD image sensor, when an image of a partial area is used, a frame rate is enhanced. Horizontal transfer of signal charges of an i-th line read out to a horizontal transfer portion is stopped at the time point when all or a part of a tail portion 74 subsequent to an extraction target portion 72. Under this state, the signal charges of an (i+1)-th line are transferred to the horizontal transfer portion. Thereafter, the horizontal transfer is started. Through this operation, unnecessary signal charges of the tail portion 74 of the i-th line and unnecessary signal charges of a head portion 82 of an (i+1)-th line are combined. By partially overlapping adjacent lines with each other, the cycle number of horizontal transfer clocks required for the horizontal transfer per line can be reduced as compared with a normal operation, thereby enhancing a frame rate.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus including a clamp pulse generation circuit for generating a clamp pulse in synchronization with an image signal, a clamp circuit for clamping a signal of a black reference value in response to the clamp pulse, and a defect detection circuit for detecting a defective pixel included in an optical black area, wherein the clamp pulse generation circuit cancels a rise of the clamp pulse when a position of the defective pixel detected by the defect detecting circuit and a position of a rise state of the clamp pulse overlap with each other.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter device comprises a semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric converter element formed on its surface, a visible light filter arranged to at least partially cover the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a support member attached to the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The photoelectric converter device further comprises, in an internal portion, a resin layer which absorbs infrared light. With this arrangement, undesirable influences of infrared light can be reduced.

Abstract: In a color filter array to be mounted on a solid-state image pickup device, in which filters that transmit infrared light are disposed, degradation in resolution or sensitivity is restrained. Part of red filters contained in color filter array in a pattern of Bayer array are replaced by IR filters that selectively transmit infrared light. The IR filters and the R filters are disposed in a checked pattern in the relevant color filter array. Thus, two G filters are disposed in each of pixel blocks having 2×2 pixels, and consequently degradation in resolution is restrained. The number of IR filters is one for two pixel blocks, and consequently degradation in sensitivity to visible light is restrained.

Abstract: The invention alleviates a load in color signal processing for a color component signal containing an offset signal component owing to infrared light. In a case where the respective color component signals <R>, <G> and <B> are substantially the same as <IR>, each of the color component signals is almost made of an offset signal component, and a signal component corresponding to an intrinsic wavelength region of each of R, G and B is slight. In this case, calculations for obtaining color difference signals Cr and Cb are omitted and a monochrome signal made of only a brightness signal Y is generated. On the other hand, in the case of the <IR> being substantially 0, when generating Y, Cr and Cb, a compensation process for removing influence due to the offset signal component is omitted.

Abstract: When respective color filters in respective light receiving elements of RGB allow transmission of infrared light, respective signal components due to infrared light (IR components) overlap color signals. To avoid disruption of color balance due to this, first, the IR components Ir, Ig, Ib contained in respective color signals of RGB are specified based on an output signal from an IR light receiving element that detects an IR component. Next, respective color signals are corrected such that the ratio of the IR components contained in respective color signals corresponds to the ratio of components of RGB in white light, so that correction color signals are generated.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter device comprises a semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric converter element formed on its surface, a visible light filter arranged to at least partially cover the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a support member attached to the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The photoelectric converter device further comprises, in an internal portion, a resin layer which absorbs infrared light. With this arrangement, undesirable influences of infrared light can be reduced.

Abstract: In a CCD image sensor mounted with a mosaic filter, when color components are separated from an image signal obtained by additively synthesizing plural lines, there is a problem that a vertical resolution is deteriorated. In a color filter to be fitted to the image sensor, G and B are alternately arranged in odd columns, R and G are alternately arranged in even columns, the arrangement cycles of adjacent odd columns are deviated by one pixel in a column direction from each other, and the arrangement cycles of adjacent even columns are deviated by one pixel in the column direction from each other. An image signal processor extracts data D(a, b) and D(a, b+2) deviated by two columns from the same line (a-th line) of an image signal obtained by additively synthesizing three lines with the image sensor. D(a, b) includes a color Cx corresponding to two pixels and a color Cy corresponding to one pixel, and D(a, b+2) includes a color Cx corresponding to one pixel and a color Cy corresponding to two pixels.

Abstract: In a frame transfer CCD image sensor, the frame rate is improved while suppressing a smear component in the case that the image from a part of the imaging portion is used. A smear evaluation circuit obtains the smear component of each line of image signal V(j) of a center area which is an image extraction target from an accumulated value of preceding lines of image signal. Here, contribution of the smear component from the preceding read area of the center area is estimated based on the image signal of the first line of the center area, without using the accumulation of the image signals of the preceding read area. This estimate value is set in a line memory as a smear component initial value and an accumulating process for each line of the center area begins. Thereby, the read of the image signal of the preceding read area is omitted and thus the frame rate is improved.

Abstract: In an CCD image sensor, when an image of a partial area is used, a frame rate is enhanced. Horizontal transfer of signal charges of an i-th line read out to a horizontal transfer portion is stopped at the time point when all or a part of a tail portion 74 subsequent to an extraction target portion 72. Under this state, the signal charges of an (i+1)-th line are transferred to the horizontal transfer portion. Thereafter, the horizontal transfer is started. Through this operation, unnecessary signal charges of the tail portion 74 of the i-th line and unnecessary signal charges of a head portion 82 of an (i+1)-th line are combined. By partially overlapping adjacent lines with each other, the cycle number of horizontal transfer clocks required for the horizontal transfer per line can be reduced as compared with a normal operation, thereby enhancing a frame rate.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus including a clamp pulse generation circuit for generating a clamp pulse in synchronization with an image signal, a clamp circuit for clamping a signal of a black reference value in response to the clamp pulse, and a defect detection circuit for detecting a defective pixel included in an optical black area, wherein the clamp pulse generation circuit cancels a rise of the clamp pulse when a position of the defective pixel detected by the defect detecting circuit and a position of a rise state of the clamp pulse overlap with each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated device that resists breakage of an internal wire. An epoxy resin covers a lower surface and side surface of a semiconductor chip. An internal pad connecting an external wire and an internal wire are formed on a silicon oxide film. The internal pad is wider than the internal wire. A portion at which the internal pad and the internal wire are connected to each other is located above the semiconductor chip. The internal pad disperses stress resulting from changes in the volume of the epoxy resin caused by temperature changes. Accordingly, stress does not concentrate in the internal wire.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated device that resists breakage of an internal wire. An epoxy resin covers a lower surface and side surface of a semiconductor chip. An internal pad connecting an external wire and an internal wire are formed on a silicon oxide film. The internal pad is wider than the internal wire. A portion at which the internal pad and the internal wire are connected to each other is located above the semiconductor chip. The internal pad disperses stress resulting from changes in the volume of the epoxy resin caused by temperature changes. Accordingly, stress does not concentrate in the internal wire.

Abstract: A digital recording/reproducing system includes a set top box. The STB receives a digital television broadcast signal and transmits a scrambled data stream from a stream selector via an interface to a digital recording/reproducing apparatus. In the data recording/reproducing apparatus, a scramble key is acquired depending on a billing request for data recording. To AS-MO disc are recorded a contents key converted from a disc unique ID using a descramble key as well as the data stream. In accordance with a user's approval for the billing, an account table is created which is registered in an IC card and transmitted via a MODEM and telephone line.

Abstract: A magneto-optical record medium and a reproducing apparatus for the same allow data reproduction having good characteristics by a simple structure. The magneto-optical record medium includes a plurality of first grooves (3) each having sidewalls, at least one of which is wobbled in accordance with address information; an address mark (21) formed by changing a width of a land located between second grooves connected to the first grooves; and third grooves wobbled cyclically, formed in a data portion magnetically storing data and connected to the second grooves. The reproducing apparatus reproduces the data from the magneto-optical record medium.

Abstract: A magneto-optical record medium and a reproducing apparatus for the same allow data reproduction having good characteristics by a simple structure. The magneto-optical record medium includes a plurality of first grooves (3) each having sidewalls, at least one of which is wobbled in accordance with address information; an address mark (21) formed by changing a width of a land located between second grooves connected to the first grooves; and third grooves wobbled cyclically, formed in a data portion magnetically storing data and connected to the second grooves. The reproducing apparatus reproduces the data from the magneto-optical record medium.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus for a magneto-optical medium includes a synchronizing signal generation circuit for generating a synchronizing signal to provide a pulsed laser beam at the time of reproduction according to an internal clock obtained from a reproduction signal. The laser beam is driven on/off according to the synchronizing signal at the time of reproduction to have the laser spot on the signal plane prevented from being enlarged, so that the reproducible domain is smaller than the domain of when a laser beam is continuously emitted. In reproduction, an optical superresolution method is applied simultaneous to provision of a pulsed laser beam to allow reproduction of higher density. An external synchronizing signal generation circuit for generating an external synchronizing signal according to a wobble on a surface of a recording medium can be used instead of a synchronizing signal generation circuit according to an internal clock.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus for a magneto-optical medium includes a synchronizing signal generation circuit for generating a synchronizing signal to provide a pulsed laser beam at the time of reproduction according to an internal clock obtained from a reproduction signal. The laser beam is driven on/off according to the synchronizing signal at the time of reproduction to have the laser spot on the signal plane prevented from being enlarged, so that the reproducible domain is smaller than the domain of when a laser beam is continuously emitted. In reproduction, an optical superresolution method is applied simultaneous to provision of a pulsed laser beam to allow reproduction of higher density. An external synchronizing signal generation circuit for generating an external synchronizing signal according to a wobble on a surface of a recording medium can be used instead of a synchronizing signal generation circuit according to an internal clock.

Abstract: A meandering groove is formed in a digital disk (10) with a wobble signal that is wobbled to reproduce a clock signal. The wobble signal is read out by an optical head (26). An address detection circuit (40) detects an address signal that is multiplexed with the wobble signal. A PLL oscillation circuit (24) provides a clock signal in synchronization with the wobble signal. Data is modulated by a modulation circuit (16) according to the clock signal and a timing signal based on the address signal, and recorded on the digital disk (10). In reproduction, a RF signal in the wobble signal is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter (42). The signal is demodulated by a demodulation circuit (44) for data output.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus for a magneto-optical medium includes a synchronizing signal generation circuit for generating a synchronizing signal to provide a pulsed laser beam at the time of reproduction according to an internal clock obtained from a reproduction signal. The laser beam is driven on/off according to the synchronizing signal at the time of reproduction to have the laser spot on the signal plane prevented from being enlarged, so that the reproducible domain is smaller than the domain of when a laser beam is continuously emitted. In reproduction, an optical superresolution method is applied simultaneous to provision of a pulsed laser beam to allow reproduction of higher density. An external synchronizing signal generation circuit for generating an external synchronizing signal according to a wobble on a surface of a recording medium can be used instead of a synchronizing signal generation circuit according to an internal clock.