Abstract: An image generation method in an imaging apparatus that includes a plurality of pixels, includes: performing a first imaging operation of capturing an image when each of the plurality of pixels is shielded from light, in a state in which a reference signal level in the first imaging operation is set to a first offset value; and generating first image data based on a first pixel signal obtained by the first imaging operation. The first offset value is higher than a second offset value that is a reference signal level in a second imaging operation of capturing an image in a state in which light is incident on each of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An image generation method in an imaging apparatus that includes a plurality of pixels, includes: performing a first imaging operation of capturing an image when each of the plurality of pixels is shielded from light, in a state in which a reference signal level in the first imaging operation is set to a first offset value; and generating first image data based on a first pixel signal obtained by the first imaging operation. The first offset value is higher than a second offset value that is a reference signal level in a second imaging operation of capturing an image in a state in which light is incident on each of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an effective pixel region outputting an effective pixel signal, a first shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal before the effective pixel signal is output, and a second shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal after the effective pixel signal has been output. In the device, in a steady state, frame clamping is performed using a clamping reference value generated from the pixel signals of the second shielded pixel region. A frame in a transition state in which the optical black signal level of the imaging device changes is subjected to frame clamping using a clamping reference value generated from the pixel signals of the first shielded pixel region.

Abstract: A wireless communication system performs high-quality communication using Multicast communication where re-transmission processing is performed. The wireless communication system includes a program distribution unit for distributing a program using the Multicast communication; a first communication path for transmitting the program distributed from the program distribution unit; first communication units; user terminals; and a second and the user terminal and is also a wireless communication path where the re-transmission of a frame is performed, wherein the first communication unit selects a Multicast frame of a program requested by the user terminal from the first communication path, converts the selected Multicast frame into a Unicast frame, and transmits the converted Unicast frame to the user terminal.

Abstract: A defective pixel correction apparatus and a defective pixel correction method of the present technique include a first defective pixel corrector for specifying a defective pixel included in an image signal of each of color signals sent from an imaging unit, and obtaining a linear interpolation value from pixels around the defective pixel to perform a first defective pixel correction process on the defective pixel by linear interpolation. Further, the defective pixel correction apparatus and the defective pixel correction method include a second defective pixel corrector for performing an aberration correction process based on an image signal of a specific color after the first defective pixel correction process, and performing a second defective pixel correction process different from the first defective pixel correction process on the pixel that has been subjected to the first defective pixel correction process.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, unevenness in brightness in screen due to flash is eliminated and video with secured continuity as a moving image can be obtained. In the imaging apparatus (1), signals of fields affected by flash among video signals acquired by imaging are treated with adding or adding and averaging to equalize effects of flash which appear unevenly on a screen.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an effective pixel region outputting an effective pixel signal, a first shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal before the effective pixel signal is output, and a second shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal after the effective pixel signal has been output. In the device, in a steady state, frame clamping is performed using a clamping reference value generated from the pixel signals of the second shielded pixel region. A frame in a transition state in which the optical black signal level of the imaging device changes is subjected to frame clamping using a clamping reference value generated from the pixel signals of the first shielded pixel region.

Abstract: A noise reduction section includes: a correlation detector configured to detect correlations between corresponding pixels between first and second image signals which are obtained from an identical image, and output degrees of correlation based on the detected correlations; an addition ratio determining section configured to determine addition ratios of the corresponding pixels between the first and second image signals based on the degrees of correlation, where the addition ratios are used in weighted addition averaging processes; and a weighted addition averaging section configured to perform, based on the addition ratios, the weighted addition averaging processes on the corresponding pixels to generate an output image signal, wherein when each of the degrees of correlation is relatively high, the addition ratio determining section provides a relatively high proportion of the pixel of the second image signal in the addition ratio.

Abstract: A defective pixel correction apparatus and a defective pixel correction method of the present technique include a first defective pixel corrector for specifying a defective pixel included in an image signal of each of color signals sent from an imaging unit, and obtaining a linear interpolation value from pixels around the defective pixel to perform a first defective pixel correction process on the defective pixel by linear interpolation. Further, the defective pixel correction apparatus and the defective pixel correction method include a second defective pixel corrector for performing an aberration correction process based on an image signal of a specific color after the first defective pixel correction process, and performing a second defective pixel correction process different from the first defective pixel correction process on the pixel that has been subjected to the first defective pixel correction process.

Abstract: When capturing images of a subject with an imaging device that uses a CMOS image sensor, a white band-shaped artifact appears in the imaging signal due to the influence of a rolling shutter operation performed when an external flash has been emitted. Manipulating or removing images in which such an artifact appears requires specifying the frames in which the artifact appears. A line averaging unit (11) calculates the average luminance level of each line in the imaging signal, the average luminance levels are temporarily stored by a storage unit (12), and thereafter a frame difference calculation unit (13) calculates the difference between the line average luminance levels and the line average luminance levels of the next frame. These frame difference values are compared with a reference value, and it is determined that the influence of an external flash is present if a portion of interest with high values is continuous for one frame period.

Abstract: A noise reduction section includes: a correlation detector configured to detect correlations between corresponding pixels between first and second image signals which are obtained from an identical image, and output degrees of correlation based on the detected correlations; an addition ratio determining section configured to determine addition ratios of the corresponding pixels between the first and second image signals based on the degrees of correlation, where the addition ratios are used in weighted addition averaging processes; and a weighted addition averaging section configured to perform, based on the addition ratios, the weighted addition averaging processes on the corresponding pixels to generate an output image signal, wherein when each of the degrees of correlation is relatively high, the addition ratio determining section provides a relatively high proportion of the pixel of the second image signal in the addition ratio.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that removes horizontal bands of high-luminance noise caused by incoming flash light and outputs an image whose continuity as a moving picture is maintained. The imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that drives an image sensor at a frame rate n times a predetermined video format and outputs an n time-speed image signal; a flashing light detection unit; an average computation unit; and a speed conversion unit. When flashing light is detected, frames containing flashing light are removed from the image signal outputted by the imaging unit, and the average of the remaining frames is calculated, thereby obtaining an average image signal. When flashing light has not been detected, the average of n frames is calculated without removing frames, thereby obtaining an average image signal. The average image signal is converted to 1/n speed and outputted in the predetermined video format.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system using a power line communication technique is provided, which can operate in the same way as in the case where the AC power is supplied, even when the AC power is not supplied. Provided with DC power source units respectively in a camera unit and a control recording unit, it is switched to a drive by the DC power source units when the AC power is cut, and simply transmits the information signals such as monitored images through the AC power line without superimposing them on the AC power. Therefore, under the condition that the AC power line between the camera unit and the control recording unit is physically connected, transfer of the information signals is possible and the same operation as in the period when the AC power is supplied is possible even when the AC power is not supplied.

Abstract: When capturing images of a subject with an imaging device that uses a CMOS image sensor, a white band-shaped artifact appears in the imaging signal due to the influence of a rolling shutter operation performed when an external flash has been emitted. Manipulating or removing images in which such an artifact appears requires specifying the frames in which the artifact appears. A line averaging unit (11) calculates the average luminance level of each line in the imaging signal, the average luminance levels are temporarily stored by a storage unit (12), and thereafter a frame difference calculation unit (13) calculates the difference between the line average luminance levels and the line average luminance levels of the next frame. These frame difference values are compared with a reference value, and it is determined that the influence of an external flash is present if a portion of interest with high values is continuous for one frame period.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, unevenness in brightness in screen due to flash is eliminated and video with secured continuity as a moving image can be obtained. In the imaging apparatus (1), signals of fields affected by flash among video signals acquired by imaging are treated with adding or adding and averaging to equalize effects of flash which appear unevenly on a screen.

Abstract: A radio communication system includes radio terminal apparatuses each arranged at a previously determined position, radio base station apparatuses for holding radio communications with these apparatuses, and a communication system controller for communicating with the respective radio terminal apparatus via the respective radio base station apparatuses connected thereto via a LAN.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that removes horizontal bands of high-luminance noise caused by incoming flash light and outputs an image whose continuity as a moving picture is maintained. The imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that drives an image sensor at a frame rate n times (where n is an integer of 3 or more) a predetermined video format and outputs an n time-speed image signal; a flashing light detection unit; an average computation unit; and a speed conversion unit. When flashing light is detected, frames containing flashing light are removed from the image signal outputted by the imaging unit, and the average of the remaining frames is calculated, thereby obtaining an average image signal. When flashing light has not been detected, the average of n frames is calculated without removing frames, thereby obtaining an average image signal. The average image signal is converted to 1/n speed and outputted in the predetermined video format.

Abstract: High-quality communication using Multicast is realized in wireless communication where re-transmission processing is performed. The present invention includes: a program distribution unit (100) for distributing a program using the Multicast communication; a first communication path (Y1) for transmitting the program distributed from the program distribution unit (100); first communication units (102a, 102b); user terminals (105a to 105h); and a second communication path (103) which is a communication path between the first communication unit (102a, 102b) and the user terminal and is also a wireless communication path where the re-transmission of a frame is performed, wherein the first communication unit (102a or 102b) selects a Multicast frame of a program requested by the user terminal (105a to 105h) from the first communication path (Y1), converts the selected Multicast frame into a Unicast frame, and transmits the converted Unicast frame to the user terminal (105a to 105h).

Abstract: A surveillance camera system using a power line communication technique is provided, which can operate in the same way as in the case where the AC power is supplied, even when the AC power is not supplied. Provided with DC power source units respectively in a camera unit and a control recording unit, it is switched to a drive by the DC power source units when the AC power is cut, and simply transmits the information signals such as monitored images through the AC power line without superimposing them on the AC power. Therefore, under the condition that the AC power line between the camera unit and the control recording unit is physically connected, transfer of the information signals is possible and the same operation as in the period when the AC power is supplied is possible even when the AC power is not supplied.