Abstract: CCD type charge transfer sections include vertical charge transfer sections and horizontal charge transfer sections having stages twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. The horizontal charge transfer sections have a capacity capable of holding charges twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. A controller controls an area image sensor to arrange charges of an object image corresponding to an irradiated state and charges of the object image corresponding to a non-irradiated state in the vertical charge transfer sections, and to transfer charges for two pixels per vertical charge transfer section to the horizontal charge transfer sections to hold the charges.

Abstract: A user interface apparatus for performing input by image processing of an input image includes a unit for switching a mode for performing pointing and other modes on the basis of a result of the image processing of the input image. A user interface apparatus for performing input by image processing of an input image includes a unit for switching at least a cursor move mode, a select mode, and a double click mode on the basis of a result of the image processing of the input image. A user interface apparatus for performing input by image processing includes a unit for checking whether an object of image processing is in a proper range within which the image processing is possible, and a unit for presenting at least one of predetermined visual information and audio information, if it is determined that the object is outside the proper range.

Abstract: CCD type charge transfer sections include vertical charge transfer sections and horizontal charge transfer sections having stages twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. The horizontal charge transfer sections have a capacity capable of holding charges twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. A controller controls an area image sensor to arrange charges of an object image corresponding to an irradiated state and charges of the object image corresponding to a non-irradiated state in the vertical charge transfer sections, and to transfer charges for two pixels per vertical charge transfer section to the horizontal charge transfer sections to hold the charges.

Abstract: A user interface apparatus for performing input by image processing of an input image includes a unit for switching a mode for performing pointing and other modes on the basis of a result of the image processing of the input image. A user interface apparatus for performing input by image processing of an input image includes a unit for switching at least a cursor move mode, a select mode, and a double click mode on the basis of a result of the image processing of the input image. A user interface apparatus for performing input by image processing includes a unit for checking whether an object of image processing is in a proper range within which the image processing is possible, and a unit for presenting at least one of predetermined visual information and audio information, if it is determined that the object is outside the proper range.

Abstract: An apparatus having an input for inputting a plurality of line drawings indicating changed shapes of a stroke and a quantizer for quantizing corresponding strokes between the plural line drawings input by the input into unit vectors each having a predetermined length. A portion between the plural line drawings is interpolated by obtaining an interpolating vector for interpolating a portion between the corresponding unit vectors in accordance with an amount of change between the corresponding unit vectors of the plural line drawings obtained by the quantization performed by the quantizer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating information input which are capable of realizing a direct command type information input scheme by which the gesture or the motion can be inputted easily. The apparatus has a timing signal generation unit for generating a timing signal; a lighting unit for emitting a light whose intensity vary in time, according to the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation unit; and a reflected light extraction unit having a sensor array for detecting a reflected light from a target object resulting from the light emitted by the lighting unit, in synchronization with the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation unit, so as to obtain a spatial intensity distribution of the reflected light in a form of a reflected light image indicative of an information input related to the target object, in separation from an external light that is illuminating the target object.

Abstract: An object displayed in a picture can be designated by the operator, without use of any additional device for inputting data other than position data. Position data of a pointer for designating any desired position in a picture are inputted by a pointer position input section (1). On the basis of the input data, a change of the pointer position relative to a specific region (13) set in relation to an object (12) in the picture is detected by a pointer region pass detecting section (2). On the basis of the output of the pointer region pass detecting section (2), the pointer positions obtained by the pointer position inputting section (1) are accumulated by a pointer position accumulating section (3). Further, the pointer locus data obtained by the pointer position accumulating section (3) are recognized by a gesture recognizing section (4) to detect a significant movement (a specific input operation) of the pointer in a specific region.

Abstract: A distance image representing a distribution of distances, each measured between the apparatus and each conceivable point existing on an object is input. The minimum points in the distance image are detected. The minimum points are some of the conceivable points on the object which have smaller distance values than the other conceivable points. The time differences, each representing a change which each point in the distance image assumes as time passes, are detected. A designating point for designating a command to the system is determined. The designating point is one of the minimum points which has changed in the time difference detected. A system is controlled in accordance with motion of the designating point determined.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus includes a first processing unit, a link information generating unit, a link information storage unit, and a second processing unit. The first processing unit processes information constituted by a plurality of information units and subjected to a recording/reproducing operation. The link information generating unit generates link information representing the relationship between arbitrary information units of the information units constituting the information. The link information storage unit stores the link information generated by the link information generating unit. The second processing unit performs predetermined processing with respect to the link information when an information unit corresponding to the link information stored in the link information storage unit is processed by the first processing unit.