Abstract: A digital still camera includes a CCD image sensor for photographing an object image by photoelectric conversion, to obtain image data. A face detector determines a face feature value of a human face at an object image by image recognition according to the image data, and detects the face. A stability checker monitors the face feature value, and outputs stable result information when the face feature value is within a prescribed range consecutively for time of a predetermined length or consecutively for a predetermined number of times. A controller automatically starts image pickup of the CCD image sensor when the stable result information is output by the first stability checker.

Abstract: In a solid-state image sensor in which a large number of pixel cells each comprised of a combination of a main photosensitive pixel having a relatively large area and a subsidiary photosensitive pixel having a relatively small area are arranged, if the subsidiary photosensitive pixel has a defect for any pixel cell, division photometry data during AE processing is read, and the defective pixel is replaced with a value obtained by dividing the output value of the main photosensitive pixel at the same position by a sensitivity ratio only for a section for which it is determined that the main photosensitive pixel is not saturated. Thus, the pixel value of a defective pixel can be accurately corrected without causing a reduction in resolution sensitivity compared to a conventional method of correcting a defective pixel using surrounding pixel information.

Abstract: A producing method of producing a solid state pickup device is provided. Imaging elements are formed on a wafer in a matrix form. Each of the imaging elements has a light receiving surface and plural contact points. Receiving surface border portions are formed on a glass plate to protrude therefrom in a matrix form by etching. The receiving surface border portions are attached to the wafer to surround the light receiving surface in each of the receiving surface border portions. The light receiving surface is spaced from the glass plate. The glass plate is diced outside respectively the receiving surface border portions, to form shield glass for covering the light receiving surface. The wafer is diced for each of the imaging elements, to obtain the solid state pickup device having the shield glass and one of the imaging elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera system that can easily make image data inhibited from being erased erasable when the image data are backed up. A personal computer loads an image file stored in a recording medium of the digital camera and a setting file in which setting states of various processes. When the loaded image data are stored in a hard disk, and when the value of a backup protection variable set by the setting file indicates protection of the stored image file, a read-only attribute of the image file is set. When the value of the automatic erasing variable set by the setting file indicates automatic erasing, and when the number of times of storage of the stored image file is equal to or larger than the number of times set by the setting file, the image file is erased from the recording medium.

Abstract: The semiconductor device according to this invention is characterized by a package structure of a semiconductor substrate 100 equipped with a photoelectric converting portion, wherein a light-shading means 104 is arranged in an area corresponding to at least the photoelectric converting portion on the side of the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Each pixel has a main pixel and a sub pixel. Each pixel has a color filter. The color filters are respectively arranged above a main photosensitive portion of the main pixel and a sub photosensitive portion of the sub pixel. The thickness of the color filters above the main and sub photosensitive portions is different from each other, so that spectral sensitivity characteristics of the main and sub photosensitive portions are respectively different. In a WB gain determiner, the type of illumination light source is judged by comparing image signals taken out from the main and sub pixels. The WB gain determiner determines a gain correction coefficient based on the type of illumination light source. The gain correction in each RGB color is performed according to the gain correction coefficient to adjust the white balance.

Abstract: The semiconductor device according to this invention is characterized by a package structure of a semiconductor substrate 100 equipped with a photoelectric converting portion, wherein a light-shading means 104 is arranged in an area corresponding to at least the photoelectric converting portion on the side of the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The semiconductor device according to this invention is characterized by a package structure of a semiconductor substrate 100 equipped with a photoelectric converting portion, wherein a light-shading means 104 is arranged in an area corresponding to at least the photoelectric converting portion on the side of the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Date and time information concerning image files included in the folder is obtained, a time range from the oldest image to the newest image is calculated, and the time range is displayed with folder information. For example, data on shot dates and times recorded as associated information concerning the images or time stamps of the files are used to calculate the time range, and the date range is displayed on a folder icon or on a tab portion of the folder icon. Moreover, a file list displayed last time is stored, the stored file list is compared with a current file list, and only if the both file lists are different from each other, the date and time information is obtained for a different file to recalculate the time range. Thus, the user can infer images included in the folder to some extent and easily retrieve a desired image.

Abstract: An input unit of the present invention includes: an instruction input unit including a display part, a posture of the instruction input unit capable of being displaced by a pressure applied to a first face thereof including a display screen of the display part; a switch pressing unit provided in the vicinity of an outer periphery of a face other than the first face of the instruction input unit, the switch pressing unit being capable of being displaced in accordance with the displacement of the instruction input unit; and a switch part arranged to work by being pressed by the switch pressing unit.

Abstract: In a solid-state image sensor in which a large number of pixel cells each comprised of a combination of a main photosensitive pixel having a relatively large area and a subsidiary photosensitive pixel having a relatively small area are arranged, if the subsidiary photosensitive pixel has a defect for any pixel cell, division photometry data during AE processing is read, and the defective pixel is replaced with a value obtained by dividing the output value of the main photosensitive pixel at the same position by a sensitivity ratio only for a section for which it is determined that the main photosensitive pixel is not saturated. Thus, the pixel value of a defective pixel can be accurately corrected without causing a reduction in resolution sensitivity compared to a conventional method of correcting a defective pixel using surrounding pixel information.

Abstract: When a portion of an image is displayed, a range of the image which is being displayed can be easily recognized. Namely, when enlarged image data which corresponds to an enlarged display range shown by hatching is extracted from image data and displayed on a display, a portion of the image which is represented by the enlarged image data is displayed on the entire display surface of the display. Original image data is processed such that a frame which represents the enlarged display range is synthesized with the image represented by the original image data, and resultant image data is displayed, as a navigation image, in an upper right corner of the display surface of the display.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to receive delivery of pictures from desired picture delivery equipment as necessary, and select and enjoy a desired picture from the pictures obtained at various positions. As a result, according to a picture delivery remote control apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to select a desired piece of picture delivery equipment from which delivery of a picture is to be requested, by selecting information specific to the piece of picture delivery equipment displayed on the first display section and request the desired piece of picture delivery equipment to deliver a picture, in an instinctive and understandable way, and thereby it is possible to easily enjoy pictures delivered from various positions.

Abstract: Management data for managing an image sensing device can be read from the device even after the device has been mounted. To accomplish this, the management data is recorded in a non-effective imaging zone that surrounds an effective imaging area in the read-out area of the image sensing device. The non-effective imaging zone is a zone from which an output signal is not used in generating a sensed target image. The management data can be sensed from the signal output by the image sensing device. In another aspect, management data for managing an image sensing device can be read from the device even after the device has been mounted on a circuit board. To accomplish this, the management data is recorded on a protective glass, which covers the device, using an ink that reflects infrared radiation. A target image having a uniform pattern is sensed using a light source whose emission includes infrared radiation, and the image obtained by such sensing is displayed on a display.

Abstract: According to an information display apparatus of the present invention, the unique information optically transmitted from the instrument is acquired by the image pickup device. Of the acquired unique information, if there is information conforming to the specific unique information, the information corresponding thereto is extracted and displayed. To be more specific, the instrument is mounted on a specific object and the information on the object is stored so that the information on the object can be displayed as the unique information is acquired from the instrument mounted on the object by the image pickup device.

Abstract: The image display apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: an image input device which inputs an image signal; a particular target detection device which detects a particular target included in the image signal based on a particular target evaluation value indicating the feature of the particular target; a frame display information generation device which generates frame display information indicating a frame surrounding the detected particular target and which causes the frame to change continuously or by stages according to the particular target evaluation value; and a display device which displays the frame based on the generated frame display information. That is, by causing the frame to change continuously or by stages according to the evaluation value of a particular target, it is possible to avoid sudden change in the frame display.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually show both of information which is originally visually recognizable and information which is originally not seen that have been provided from equipment on the same image, so that it is possible to grasp the content of information and the source of providing the information corresponding to or in association with each other. Furthermore, it is possible to view information difficult to visually recognize together with visually recognizable information, and it is possible to clearly grasp, in addition to information which can be visually obtained at the place where a user currently stays, information related to the visually obtained information, from an image visually indicating the association.

Abstract: According to a remote control apparatus of the present invention, the selection of the control content such as power on or power off to be commonly practiced for each devices is accepted, and the control signal corresponding to the accepted control content is transmitted to all or part of the devices. In this manner, it is possible to remotely control the devices simultaneously, which is convenient when the powers of household electric appliances are turned off simultaneously before going out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technology which acquires information specific to a device by an image pickup element and remotely controls a desired device based on the acquired device-specific information. Particularly, the present invention relates to a technology which displays information for performing detailed remote control easily. In the present invention, it is intended to display information about manipulation of a desired device as needed and to facilitate remote manipulation of the device. As a result, according to an aspect of the present invention, since detailed information of a desired device can be selected to be viewed, detailed information of each of multiple devices can be easily identified by a single controller as needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring information specific to a device via an imaging element and performing remote-control of a desired device based on the acquired information specific to the device, and an object thereof is to suspend information display of certain devices in order to suppress disorderliness of a screen and enable remote control of devices to be easily performed. By arranging displaying of the information specific to the device to be suspended according to device state information, the present invention can reduce the risk of remote control being impeded by specific information displayed in an indiscriminant and disordered manner, and efficient remote control operations may be achieved.