Abstract: An input interface acquires a first distance image including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels indicating a distance value from an image capture device to each point of an object. An image divider divides the first distance image into a plurality of pixel groups based on the distance values of the pixels, such that each of the plurality of pixel groups includes pixels having distance values falling within one of a plurality of distance intervals different from each other. A noise filter individually processes the plurality of pixel groups using a plurality of filter parameters different for the plurality of pixel groups, to reduce noises in the plurality of pixel groups. An image combiner combines the plurality of pixel groups processed by the noise filter, with each other, to generate a second distance image.

Abstract: To determine white balance convergence in a reliable manner, a white balance adjustment device for adjusting white balance of an input image supplied sequentially in time is provided. The white balance adjustment device comprises first and second integrating units. Each of the integrating units corrects a color component of a preceding input image based on mutually different correction parameter values. The integrating units respectively compute first and second integration values by integrating corrected color components. The first and second values to be used to correct the color component of a subsequent input image are determined by a correction parameter determining unit. The correction parameter determining unit changes the first and second values according to magnitude relationship between the first and second integration values and a benchmark value of the integration value.

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: To reduce flicker appropriately according to illumination condition of an imaging subject, a video camera is provided. The video camera includes an imaging unit for generating a subject image; a superimposing image generator for generating a superimposing image; an image synthesizer for synthesize the subject image and the superimposing image to generate a synthesized image; a video signal generator for generating a video signal from the synthesized image so as to display the synthesized image. The video camera also includes a flicker reduction unit to reduce flicker caused by luminance fluctuation of a light source. The flicker reduction unit has a plurality flicker reduction modes. The mode setting unit makes the superimposing image generator to generate a settings screen as the superimposing image for assisting selection of one of the flicker reduction modes.

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: A noise reduction device to reduce noise of a video image including multiple input frame images is provided. The noise reduction device includes: a motion detector that detects a dynamic region and a static region other than the dynamic region within the video image; and a temporal smoothing processing unit that generates temporally-smoothed frame images by applying a temporal smoothing process to the multiple input frame images, the temporal smoothing process keeping number of color component contained in each pixel, the each pixel constituting an individual frame image of the multiple input frame images and containing only a part of a plurality of color components. A temporal smoothing level for a static region pixel belonging to the static region is set to be higher than the temporal smoothing level for a dynamic region pixel belonging to the dynamic region.

Abstract: In a defective pixel detector 20 mounted on an imaging device 100, a pixel data acquisition module 20a successively obtains pixel data of a target pixel set as an object of defective pixel detection and pixel data of plural surrounding pixels located in a neighborhood of the target pixel. A first operation module 20b calculates absolute values of differences between pixel data of multiple specific peripheral pixels selected among the plural surrounding pixels, as first absolute values. A defective pixel criterion setting module 20c sets a defective pixel criterion, based on differences between the multiple first absolute values and a preset threshold value. A second operation module 20d calculates absolute values of differences between the pixel data of the target pixel and the pixel data the multiple specific peripheral pixels, as second absolute values.

Abstract: To reduce flicker appropriately according to illumination condition of an imaging subject, a video camera is provided. The video camera includes an imaging unit for generating a subject image; a superimposing image generator for generating a superimposing image; an image synthesizer for synthesize the subject image and the superimposing image to generate a synthesized image; a video signal generator for generating a video signal from the synthesized image so as to display the synthesized image. The video camera also includes a flicker reduction unit to reduce flicker caused by luminance fluctuation of a light source. The flicker reduction unit has a plurality flicker reduction modes. The mode setting unit makes the superimposing image generator to generate a settings screen as the superimposing image for assisting selection of one of the flicker reduction modes.

Abstract: To determine white balance convergence in a reliable manner, a white balance adjustment device for adjusting white balance of an input image supplied sequentially in time is provided. The white balance adjustment device comprises first and second integrating units. Each of the integrating units corrects a color component of a preceding input image based on mutually different correction parameter values. The integrating units respectively compute first and second integration values by integrating corrected color components. The first and second values to be used to correct the color component of a subsequent input image are determined by a correction parameter determining unit. The correction parameter determining unit changes the first and second values according to magnitude relationship between the first and second integration values and a benchmark value of the integration value.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for producing an electrolytic water whereby one electrolytic water used in compliance with its intended use is transformed into a water more effectively used and the by-product electrolytic water, previously disposed as virtually useless, is transformed into a water which can be effectively used by use of at least two electrolyzer in series. At least one of an outlet for a primary anodic electrolytic water in a primary electrolyzer and an outlet for a primary cathodic electrolytic water in a primary electrolyzer is connected to an inlet of a secondary electrolyzer through a first switching valve and a second switching valve. The anodic electrolytic water only, the primary cathodic electrolytic water only, or mixture of the primary anodic and primary cathodic electrolytic water is fed to the secondary electrolyzer to be electrolyzed again.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing electrolytic alkaline water and electrolytic acid water of enhanced effectiveness. According to the method of the invention, vitamin C is added to the cathodic electrolytic water produced by primary electrolysis, in a weight percentage of 0.005%.about.0.05%, and the primary cathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added is electrolyzed a second time. Thereby, a secondary cathodic electrolytic water is obtained in which the dissolved oxygen concentration and the oxidation reduction potential are remarkably lowered. Vitamin C is added to the anodic electrolytic water produced by the primary electrolysis in a weight percentage of more than 0.005%, and the primary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added is secondarily electrolyzed. A secondary anodic electrolytic water is thereby obtained which contains a high dissolved oxygen concentration and a low oxidation reduction potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing water, whereby water is electrolyzed to produce electrolyzed water, and aqueous solution with chitin chitosan dissolved in it is added to the electrolyzed water to eliminate chlorine components without changing the property of the electrolyzed water. To cathodic water, of the electrolyzed water, the aqueous solution with chitin chitosan dissolved in it is added by 0.001 to 0.1 weight %, and aqueous solution with chitin chitosan dissolved in it is added to the anodic water by 0.005 to 0.05 weight %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing water, whereby water is electrolyzed to produce electrolyzed water, and aqueous solution with chitin chitosan dissolved in it is added to the electrolyzed water to eliminate chlorine components without changing the property of the electrolyzed water. To cathodic water, of the electrolyzed water, the aqueous solution with chitin chitosan dissolved in it is added by 0.001 to 0.1 weight %, and aqueous solution with chitin chitosan dissolved in it is added to the anodic water by 0.005 to 0.05 weight %.