Abstract: An image processing apparatus for sequentially generating rendering data of a plurality of images composing a moving image, comprising a velocity vector detecting unit for detecting a velocity vector of a block image in an image in accordance with the rendering data based on rendering basic data used for the generation of the rendering data and a control unit for selectively performing, for each of the block images of the rendering data and based on a velocity vector generated by the velocity vector detecting unit, subsampling processing for generating only part of the pixel data in the pixel data corresponding to the block image based on the rendering basic data and non-subsampling processing for generating all pixel data corresponding to the block image based on the rendering basic data to thereby generate the rendering data.

Abstract: Characters set corresponding to users are registered in a character server, so the users can download characters from the character server and feature the characters in various games. Also, characters of different players can notify characters of players within a range permitted beforehand regarding their own locations in different games or different virtual spaces, and can send messages one to another. Further, in addition to the appearance of the character, attributes of the character and items which the player have can be stored in the character server, and used throughout various games. Thus, the same characters can be featured in various types of game programs.

Abstract: A floodlight section emits light with a predetermined blinking pattern. The emitted light is reflected by a reflecting object. An image capturing section captures the light reflected by the reflecting object. A surveillance apparatus compares the pattern of the reflected light captured by the image capturing section and the blinking pattern of the light emitted by the floodlight section to determine that there is no invader in a surveillance area between the surveillance apparatus and the reflecting object while the predetermined blinking pattern is detected, and that there is an invader in the surveillance area when the predetermined blinking pattern is not detected. The present invention can be applied to surveillance apparatuses.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for sequentially generating rendering data of a plurality of images composing a moving image, comprising a velocity vector detecting unit for detecting a velocity vector of a block image in an image in accordance with the rendering data based on rendering basic data used for the generation of the rendering data and a control unit for selectively performing, for each of the block images of the rendering data and based on a velocity vector generated by the velocity vector detecting unit, subsampling processing for generating only part of the pixel data in the pixel data corresponding to the block image based on the rendering basic data and non-subsampling processing for generating all pixel data corresponding to the block image based on the rendering basic data to thereby generate the rendering data.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing apparatus and method as well as a medium by which a corresponding point can be found out and matching between images can be performed with a higher degree of accuracy. A template deformation section produces a plurality of deformed templates by linear interpolation from a template inputted thereto from a template setting section and inputs the deformed templates to a plurality of matching operation sections. The matching operation sections use an image of an epipolar line from among reference images stored in image memories and the deformed templates to perform template matching on the epipolar line. Selection sections determine one of the deformed templates which exhibits the highest similarity degree from results of the template matching and determine coordinate values then as a parallax.

Abstract: A floodlight section emits light with a predetermined blinking pattern. The emitted light is reflected by a reflecting object. An image capturing section captures the light reflected by the reflecting object. A surveillance apparatus compares the pattern of the reflected light captured by the image capturing section and the blinking pattern of the light emitted by the floodlight section to determine that there is no invader in a surveillance area between the surveillance apparatus and the reflecting object while the predetermined blinking pattern is detected, and that there is an invader in the surveillance area when the predetermined blinking pattern is not detected. The present invention can be applied to surveillance apparatuses.

Abstract: Characters set corresponding to users are registered in a character server, so the users can download characters from the character server and feature the characters in various games. Also, characters of different players can notify characters of players within a range permitted beforehand regarding their own locations in different games or different virtual spaces, and can send messages one to another. Further, in addition to the appearance of the character, attributes of the character and items which the player have can be stored in the character server, and used throughout various games. Thus, the same characters can be featured in various types of game programs.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus is connected to a terminal which executes a program for a number of different games, through a network. The information processing apparatus includes a storage device for storing information on a character that can appear in the different games in the terminal. A transmitter is provided to transmit the information on the character to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image signal used for measurement of three-dimensional shape, which includes a projector for projecting non-periodic pattern light on an object of measurement; a generator for generating image signals of a number of frames by using optical images of the object of measurement; a limiter for limiting input of the optical images of the object of measurement to the generator; and a timing controller for controlling the projector, the limiter, and the generator so that a signal of a pattern image of the object of measurement being irradiated with the non-periodic pattern light and a signal of a texture image of the object of measurement not being irradiated with the non-periodic pattern light are generated as the image signals of the frames in succession; wherein the timing controller allows the projector to project the non-periodic pattern light on the object of measurement for a period of time shorter than an open time within the open time, the open time being a period