Abstract: A screen display device (200) displays a three-dimensional display screen on which network (NW) devices, links, paths, obstruction points (alarms) are displayed on a map representation. The screen display device (200) defines rungs on the basis of attributes of the devices so that a device of a lower rung (a terminal device in the NW) is placed at a lower position while a device of a higher rung is placed at a higher position on the three-dimensional display screen. Further, for an area where devices are on multiple rungs, the screen display device (200) displays a mark at the area to make the rung height of each device more recognizable. Also, the screen display device (200) provides an indication enclosing devices that form an active system/backup system pair to make it easy to understand whether there is a system that remains normal so that service can be offered.

Abstract: A screen display device (200) displays a three-dimensional display screen on which network (NW) devices, links, paths, obstruction points (alarms) are displayed on a map representation. The screen display device (200) defines rungs on the basis of attributes of the devices so that a device of a lower rung (a terminal device in the NW) is placed at a lower position while a device of a higher rung is placed at a higher position on the three-dimensional display screen. Further, for an area where devices are on multiple rungs, the screen display device (200) displays a mark at the area to make the rung height of each device more recognizable. Also, the screen display device (200) provides an indication enclosing devices that form an active system/backup system pair to make it easy to understand whether there is a system that remains normal so that service can be offered.

Abstract: An image signal generation portion 10 generates an image signal DVb of a variable frame-rate picked-up image whose frame rate can be varied. A frame rate conversion portion 30 converts a frame rate of an image signal DVu supplied to it into a frame rate of the image signal DVb and synchronizes them to provide an image signal DVw. A monitor image signal generation portion 40 uses the image signals DVb and DVw to generate an image signal DVmix of an image in which an image based on the image signal DVb and an image based on the image signal DVw are mixed and output it as a monitor image signal DMTout or SMTout. Alternatively, it generates an image signal DVwp of an image in which a part of an image based on the image signal DVb is replaced by an image based on the image signal DVw and outputs it as the monitor image signal DMTout or SMTout. It is possible to simultaneously display a variable frame-rate picked-up image and an image having a different frame rate.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting messages among terminals with increasing uncertainty. According to one embodiment, players in a game exchange text messages via wireless computing devices. A first player selects from among a menu of fixed phrases and inserts words within the phrase to complete a message. When the message is received at a second wireless computing device, the message may be degraded by, for example, by removing one or more words or reducing a reliability rating. As the message is passed to third and subsequent wireless computer devices, the message can be further degraded. By degrading the message, the curiosity of a player can be peaked, thus resulting in more engaging game play.

Abstract: High frequency components of a video signal are attenuated for avoiding aliasing when the video signal is corrected by a non-linear gamma correction circuit. Such high frequency components arise from the video signal harmonics, and also are generated in image contour processing of the video signal. The high frequency components are band limited, thereby linearizing the gamma correction circuit and preventing aliasing. Up-converting the sampling frequency increases a desired band limitation area and defers the generation of high frequency components that cause aliasing. The non-linear gamma correction function is divided into a plurality of sections which are replaced by respective straight-line segments each represented by a linear expression, and gamma correction is effected with a straight-line segment corresponding to the amplitude of the digital video signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for flexibly adjusting the contrast of an input image signal. Specifically, a control signal for controlling the contrast of a displayed image is generated responsive to an input image signal, and the luminance signal level of the input image signal is adjusted on the basis of the generated control signal. A display image for demonstration via a liquid crystal display surface is generated on the basis of the adjusted luminance signal level. The illumination brightness on the liquid crystal display surface is controlled in correlation with the adjustment of the luminance signal level on the basis of the generated control signal.

Abstract: An edge enhancement circuit uses bandpass filters to separate an original video signal into low-, middle- and high-frequency band edge components which will be supplied to waveform shaping circuits. Each of the waveform shaping circuits detects an amplitude peak level of the edge component, generates a gain coefficient based on the peak level, and multiplies the original video signal by the gain coefficient. The results of multiplication are added together to generate a final detail signal. Thus, the edge enhancement circuit amplifies the amplitude of the edge component having a frequency approximate to the spatial frequency of the video signal to provide an edge enhancement based on a frequency characteristic corresponding to the spatial frequency of the video signal.

Abstract: An information transmission method in which in a process of transmitting information the transmission is conducted so as to increase uncertainty has not been established. Information terminals have a plurality of fixed phrases for sentence generation, and sentences are generated by inserting words, which are inputted into the information terminals or selected in relation to an event created on the information terminals, into a fixed phrase for sentence generation selected from the plurality of fixed phrases for sentence generation.

Abstract: An image signal generation portion 10 generates an image signal DVb of a variable frame-rate picked-up image whose frame rate can be varied. A frame rate conversion portion 30 converts a frame rate of an image signal DVu supplied to it into a frame rate of the image signal DVb and synchronizes them to provide an image signal DVw. A monitor image signal generation portion 40 uses the image signals DVb and DVw to generate an image signal DVmix of an image in which an image based on the image signal DVb and an image based on the image signal DVw are mixed and output it as a monitor image signal DMTout or SMTout. Alternatively, it generates an image signal DVwp of an image in which a part of an image based on the image signal DVb is replaced by an image based on the image signal DVw and outputs it as the monitor image signal DMTout or SMTout. It is possible to simultaneously display a variable frame-rate picked-up image and an image having a different frame rate.

Abstract: It was impossible before to offer paid contents and the like to information terminals without requiring access authentication based on previous registration of user information. An object of the present invention is to provide an information supply terminal for offering contents to an information terminal without requiring network connection authentication based on previous registration of user information when a user accesses the information supply terminal storing contents, by means of the information terminal, wherein an information terminal selected by means of an input section provided in the information supply terminal is identified, on the basis of terminal identification information that is unique to the information terminal of the user, and contents are sent by means of radio communications.

Abstract: An imaging system capable of easily and reliably adjusting the functions provided in the camera device and preventing mistaken adjustment of these functions. At a step S255, a specified parameter of a definition file or a user file is deleted or changed in values. A CPU judges whether or not an effective key is pressed. If the key is found to be pressed, the CPU proceeds to a step S256 and, if otherwise, the CPU dwells at a step S255. At a step S256, the CPU reads out image data of a parameter setting window from a disc drive based on the selected parameter or the definition file prevailing at a time point of pressing of the effective key. The CPU writes image data of the parameter setting window in a VRAM and causes a display image corresponding to the image data to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for flexibly adjusting the contrast of an input image signal. Specifically, a control signal for controlling the contrast of a displayed image is generated responsive to an input image signal, and the luminance signal level of the input image signal is adjusted on the basis of the generated control signal. A display image for demonstration via a liquid crystal display surface is generated on the basis of the adjusted luminance signal level. The illumination brightness on the liquid crystal display surface is controlled in correlation with the adjustment of the luminance signal level on the basis of the generated control signal.

Abstract: High frequency components of a video signal are attenuated for avoiding aliasing when the video signal is corrected by a non-linear gamma correction circuit. Such high frequency components arise from the video signal harmonics, and also are generated in image contour processing of the video signal. The high frequency components are band limited, thereby linearizing the gamma correction circuit and preventing aliasing. Up-converting the sampling frequency increases a desired band limitation area and defers the generation of high frequency components that cause aliasing. The non-linear gamma correction function is divided into a plurality of sections which are replaced by respective straight-line segments each represented by a linear expression, and gamma correction is effected with a straight-line segment corresponding to the amplitude of the digital video signal.

Abstract: An edge enhancement circuit (16) uses bandpass filters (21), (22) and (23) to separate an original video signal into low-, middle- and high-frequency band edge components which will be supplied to waveform shaping circuits (24), (25) and (26), respectively. Each of the waveform shaping circuits (24), (25) and (26) detects an amplitude peal level of the edge component, generates a fain coefficient based on the peak level, and multiplies the original video signal by the gain coefficient. The results of multiplication are added together to generate a final detail signal. Thus, the edge enhancement circuit (16) amplifies the amplitude of the edge component having a frequency approximate to the spatial frequency of the video signal to provide an edge enhancement based on a frequency characteristic corresponding to the spatial frequency of the video signal.

Abstract: High frequency components of a video signal are attenuated for avoiding aliasing when the video signal is corrected by a non-linear gamma correction circuit. Such high frequency components arise from the video signal harmonics, and also are generated in image contour processing of the video signal. The high frequency components are band limited, thereby linearizing the gamma correction circuit and preventing aliasing. Up-converting the sampling frequency increases a desired band limitation area and defers the generation of high frequency components that cause aliasing. The non-linear gamma correction function is divided into a plurality of sections which are replaced by respective straight-line segments each represented by a linear expression, and gamma correction is effected with a straight-line segment corresponding to the amplitude of the digital video signal.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus and a camera system for multiplexing serial data into horizontal blanking portions of video data for transmission between a CHU (1) and a CCU (2). On the transmitting side, resampled data is obtained by sampling the serial data using a clock signal of a frequency higher than that of the transmission rate of the serial data. A predetermined number of resampled data items are selected as multiplexing data from the resampled data obtained in each of the horizontal periods of the video data. The multiplexing data is multiplexed into the horizontal blanking portions of the video data for transmission. On the transmitting side, the multiplexing data is separated from the received video data. The separated multiplexing data is decoded so as to extract successively definite data constituting the initial serial data.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique of making color adjustment for a great number of colors among different imaging apparatus. In the process of making color adjustment among a plurality of cameras, a color correction processing unit disposed in a CCU of each camera detects data associated with lightness, hue, and saturation for a plurality of specified colors. The detected data is transmitted as color data to a CPU. According to the color data supplied from each CCU, the CPU divides the color space into a plurality of areas, and calculates setting data which is required by the color correction processing unit to correct the lightness, hue, and saturation. The resultant setting data is transmitted to the color correction processing unit. In actual use in a normal operation mode, the color correction processing unit corrects the lightness, hue, and saturation according to the procedure determined for each area in accordance with the setting data.

Abstract: It is intended to enable main image data from a video camera and background image data recorded on a recording medium to be chromakey-combined with each other naturally at a low cost. When a video switcher chromakey-combines main image data that is produced by imaging with a video camera with background image data that is reproduced from a magnetic tape by a VTR, the main image data is chromakey-combined with the background image data such that the VTR is caused to perform a reproducing operation on the magnetic tape based on time codes that are stored in a control device as one of a pair of information and the operations of the video camera and a video camera stage are controlled based on camera control information as the other of the pair of information.

Abstract: High frequency components of a video signal are attenuated for avoiding aliasing when the video signal is corrected by a non-linear gamma correction circuit. Such high frequency components arise from the video signal harmonics, and also are generated in image contour processing of the video signal. The high frequency components are band limited, thereby linearizing the gamma correction circuit and preventing aliasing. Up-converting the sampling frequency increases a desired band limitation area and defers the generation of high frequency components that cause aliasing. The non-linear gamma correction function is divided into a plurality of sections which are replaced by respective straight-line segments each represented by a linear expression, and gamma correction is effected with a straight-line segment corresponding to the amplitude of the digital video signal.

Abstract: An imaging system capable of easily and reliably adjusting the functions provided in the camera device and preventing mistaken adjustment of these functions. At a step S255, a specified parameter of a definition file or a user file is deleted or changed in values. A CPU judges whether or not an effective key is pressed. If the key is found to be pressed, the CPU proceeds to a step S256 and, if otherwise, the CPU dwells at a step S255. At a step S256, the CPU reads out image data of a parameter setting window from a disc drive based on the selected parameter or the definition file prevailing at a time point of pressing of the effective key. The CPU writes image data of the parameter setting window in a VRAM and causes a display image corresponding to the image data to be displayed on a display.