Abstract: A storage medium stores map data divided into unit areas. A control circuit indicates a map on an image display unit according to the map data. The map data includes name records, which respectively correspond to names to be indicated in the map. Each of the name records includes information specifying a character string of corresponding one of the names and information specifying an indication range of the character string in the map. An updating unit updates a part of the unit areas of the map data. An extracting unit extracts a pair of the same character strings, which are overlapped and indicated in the map or closely indicated in the map, with reference to the name records, after update of the part of the unit areas of the map data. A prohibiting unit prohibits indication of one of the extracted pair in the map.

Abstract: In a vehicular navigation apparatus, when map data of a unit area is updated, it is determined whether a border node contained in an adjoining unit area which adjoins the updated unit area is separated from an opponent border node contained in the updated unit area. The positions of the border node and the opponent border node are moved to target points so as to accord with each other, thereby reducing a possibility to worsen an appearance of a map as a result of the update of the unit area of the map data.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing robust frame rate conversion of video data to a higher frame rate. A metric is formed (16) as a function of motion compensation error normalised by a measure of image content, such as image texture (10, 11). The metric is then compared with thresholds (17, 18) to determine whether conversion will be based on motion compensated interpolation or frame repetition. If the metric falls between thresholds, the previously selected mode may be repeated.

Abstract: A server (1) analyzes request information from a client (11) by a request analyzer (4) and selects necessary image data from multiple viewpoint image data (2) to be output to an image generator (3). The image data is generated by interpolation and output to an image synthesizer (5), in which a plurality of images data is synthesized in a form suitable for encoding. An encoder (6) encodes the image data and transfers it to a network (7). The client (11) receives the encoded image data, decodes the data through a decoder (12) and outputs the decoded image data to an image processor (13), where it is converted into a stereoscopic display format and displayed on a display unit (14). The client (11) includes an input unit (16) for changing the viewpoint, and transmits the request information of viewpoint alternation to the network (7) by a request output unit (15).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a 3-D image display unit that can be controlled flexibly to protect the user from eyestrain and operated easily. The 3-D image display unit includes measuring means for measuring a display time of a 3-D image, parallax adjusting means for instructing 3-D image forming means to adjust the parallax of the 3-D image. In the case where the 3-D image display time measured by the measuring means exceeds a predetermined time, the parallax adjusting means instructs the 3-D image forming means to reduce the parallax of the 3-D image to be formed, thereby the display means comes to display a 3-D image having a small parallax. The user can thus be protected from eyestrain.

Abstract: A controller (101) designates the method of integrating viewpoint images. An image integrator (102) creates an integrated image by placing individual viewpoint images in appropriate positions. A 3D image control information creator (103) creates 3D image control information by formatting the placement mode of individual viewpoint images and various 3-dimensional image characteristics. An encoder (104) encodes integrated image data. A multiplexer (105) multiplexes the coded data and the 3D image control information and outputs them. A filename deciding unit (106) decides the name of a file when multiplexed data is recorded as a file. A storage directory deciding unit (107) decides the directory in which a file to be recorded is stored. A file creator (108) records a file with the decided filename under the decided storage directory. Thus, the distinction between 3-dimensional display image data and 2-dimensional image data can be clarified.

Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels each with a photoelectric conversion element and a detection transistor the threshold voltage of which fluctuates in accordance with electrical charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element. The image sensor includes a second conductivity type shield region and a first conductivity type photoelectric conversion region; a first conductivity type well region linked to the photoelectric conversion region; a ring-like gate electrode; a second conductivity type source region at the inside of the ring-like gate electrode; a second conductivity type drain region. The image sensor further includes a potential pocket region that is formed in the well region below the ring-like gate electrode and accumulates the electrical charge, wherein the width of the gate electrode is formed narrower in the part adjacent to the photoelectric conversion region than in other parts.

Abstract: An image data recording apparatus includes a three-dimensional display control information generation unit receiving a parameter indicating a condition for picking up a three-dimensional image, and encoding the parameter so as to generate image pick-up condition information, and a file generation unit generating a multimedia information file including both of the image pick-up condition information and three-dimensional image data or at least one of the three-dimensional image data and two-dimensional image data.

Abstract: An image signal composed of sequential frames is input to a 3-dimensional image creating apparatus, frame by frame. A controller (102) designates the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. An image converter (101) creates image data in the format designated by the presence/absence of reduction and the presence/absence of joining. A 3D information creator (103) creates 3D information necessary for displaying the image as a 3-dimensional image by formatting the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. A multiplexer (104) converts image data and 3D information in a predetermined format and outputs them to the outside. In this way, it is possible to make the image data for 3-dimensional display versatile and select an arbitrary viewpoint image efficiently.

Abstract: In map data having link information, each of the links has reference information regarding a start point node of the link, a next link in a series of links, and an upper link. Further, links are memorized in a form of link list, and the position of the link in the link list is not changed in the course of adding/deleting a link, thereby enabling a direct reference to each of the links in the link list by the position of the link. The link information organized in the above-described manner enables the ease of the update of the map data as well as the speed-up of the calculation of, for example, a navigation route.

Abstract: An image signal composed of sequential frames is input to a 3-dimensional image creating apparatus, frame by frame. A controller (102) designates the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. An image converter (101) creates image data in the format designated by the presence/absence of reduction and the presence/absence of joining. A 3D information creator (103) creates 3D information necessary for displaying the image as a 3-dimensional image by formatting the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. A multiplexer (104) converts image data and 3D information in a predetermined format and outputs them to the outside. In this way, it is possible to make the image data for 3-dimensional display versatile and select an arbitrary viewpoint image efficiently.

Abstract: This invention provides a stereoscopic-vision image processing apparatus, a stereoscopic-vision image providing method, and an image display method that are capable of managing specification of display unit on which a stereoscopic-vision image is desired to be displayed as accessory information (assumed display information). The assumed display information includes a type and a display size of the display unit on which a stereoscopic-vision image is desired to be displayed. This allows an appropriate stereoscopic-vision image to be obtained by specifying a type or a display size of the display unit that is desired to be displayed with them being combined with the stereoscopic-vision image and scaling the stereoscopic-vision image up or down, in display of a stereoscopic image, in accordance with the type or the display size of the display unit.

Abstract: An image shooting and display apparatus includes: a plurality of image pickup portions. An image pickup controller switches image pickup portions to be used in accordance with the image shooting mode. It also switches the image shooting mode in accordance with the image pickup portions to be actuated in accordance with the usage condition of the apparatus. A mode switching controller switches shooting mode and display mode, and controls image pickup portions suitable for each mode by way of the image pickup controller and also controls an image display portion.

Abstract: A removable recording medium having an area for storing a content and, when attached to a reproducing apparatus, allowing the content recorded in the area to be reproduced is arranged so as to include, separately from the area for storing the content, an area for storing one or more conditions that allow the content to be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus. With this arrangement, by pre-recording on the recording medium, information for allowing the reproducing apparatus to reproduce a content, the recording apparatus can automatically perform processing such as encoding to a content in accordance with the information recorded on the recording medium and then record the content on the recording medium; and the reproducing apparatus can unconditionally reproduce a content recorded on the recording medium.

Abstract: A navigation system in a subject vehicle includes a display unit for displaying a map, a position detection function for detecting a current position and a traveling direction of the subject vehicle, a storage function for storing map data and facility data for displaying a facility icon on the map, a road recognition function for recognizing a road and a lane of the road where the subject vehicle is traveling, a facility selection function for searching a facility in the facility data and a facility icon control means for controlling the facility icon according to a facility type in the facility data. The facility icon on the map is selectively displayed on the map according to the traveling direction of the subject vehicle based on information calculated by above functions.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a memory cell array of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of which includes a selecting transistor and a memory cell transistor; a column decoder controlling the potential of bit lines; a voltage application circuit controlling the potential of the first word lines; a first row decoder controlling the potential of the second word lines; and a second row decoder controlling the potential of the source line. The column decoder is formed of a circuit whose withstand voltage is lower than the voltage application circuit and the second row decoder.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image processing method capable of preventing occurrence of undesirable cutout of image when a stereoscopic combined image is printed out is provided. A stereoscopic combined image can be created and recorded using a digital still camera 1. This stereoscopic combined image is a single image formed by arranging a plurality of view-point images. At first, left view-point image data and right view-point image data are stored in a memory by performing photographing twice. Then, the data of the two images are arranged laterally into a single image. Through this processing, original stereoscopic combined image data is created. Padding areas (dummy areas) are added to the original stereoscopic combined image data at the upper and lower sides thereof. Namely, a processed image containing the original stereoscopic combined image is created.

Abstract: To present a semiconductor device mounting ESD protective device appropriately applicable to transistors mutually different in dielectric strength, and its manufacturing method. The semiconductor device comprises a first ESD protective circuit 1A including a first transistor 3 and a first ballast resistance 4, and a second ESD protective circuit 1B including a second transistor 5 and a second ballast resistance 6. The impurity concentration of the second diffusion region forming the first ballast resistance 4 is set lower than the impurity concentration of the fourth diffusion region for forming the second ballast resistance 6.

Abstract: In a road map data generation apparatus, existing primary road map data is subjected to a deletion process according to a deletion rule to delete a portion of the data. Thus, reduced road map data is generated for a storage medium such as a memory card having a data volume smaller than the primary road map data. A navigation apparatus using the reduced road map data stored in the memory card records a restoration rule pairing with the deletion rule. Based on the restoration rule, the reduced road map data can be restored to the primary road map data. Thus, the deletion rule can decrease the data volume of the primary data to thereby generate the reduced data, whereas the restoration rule can restore the reduced data to the primary data in the navigation apparatus. This helps prevent worsening of the quality of the road map data and lowering of the user's satisfaction.

Abstract: An operation unit switches the operating mode between a 3D display output mode in which the images of the 3D image file are displayed as a stereoscopic images and a 2D display output mode in which one of the images of the 3D image file is displayed as an ordinary planar image. The 3D image file is composed of stereoscopic image data which represents a plurality of monocular images constituting a multi-ocular stereoscopic image and information which is added to the stereoscopic image data and which indicates that the data is stereoscopic data. In the 2D display output mode, a control unit makes an output unit display an image of the 3D image file read from a medium by a media reader and also display a mark on the same screen, indicating that the image displayed in the 2D display output mode is based on the 3D image file.