Abstract: An image accumulation server has a storage area management section for managing a storage area of an image storage section and a customer information management section for managing customer information. The storage area is set to reserve a predetermined capacity as the initial state for one customer and after the expiration of a predetermined time period, the service providing contents for each customer including the storage area and usage charge in the next predetermined time period are again set in response to the customer information. If an unused area exists, in the next predetermined time period, the storage area is decreased and the usage charge is reduced or is made free of, or the storage area is decreased as much as the capacity corresponding to the usage charge, so that a part of the unused storage area is canceled as an equivalent for the usage charge.

Abstract: A communication apparatus has: a communication unit for performing a wireless communication with an external device; a device for performing a predetermined operation; a drive unit for driving the device; and a control unit for putting restrictions on one of the wireless communication with the external device by the communication unit and the predetermined operation of the device driven by the drive unit, while the other is being performed.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods for switching viewing between multiple video cameras. In one embodiment, switching between cameras is accomplished at lower cost and higher reliability by providing a system, devices and methods that utilize power switches, instead of high bandwidth switches. Embodiments provide local and remote access control installations to monitor multiple camera locations. Select specific embodiments verify user and/or monitoring site identity and/or authorization prior to permitting monitoring. In some specific embodiments, still picture monitoring may be utilized to decrease bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: In an image output system, image data generated by a digital still camera is output with a color printer. The digital still camera stores image processing control data preset by a maker of the digital still camera to be changeable for each image, and a user's setting of offset data. The image output system then generates an image file including the image data, the image processing control data, and the offset data. The color printer makes the image data to be subjected to a preset series of image processing based on the image processing control data (including the offset data) in the image file, and outputs a resulting processed image.

Abstract: In a digital camera, an AF position can be designated by an AF cursor which is displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) and moves according to an operation input by the operator. At the time of recording captured image data into a memory card, information of the AF position in a whole image and an enlargement display magnification which is separately set is recorded in association with the image data. Thus, at the time of reproducing the recorded image, based on the information of the AF position and the enlargement display magnification in the memory card, desired enlargement display around the AF position as a center can be performed. As a result, convenience of the digital camera is improved.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image processing method which generates an image with a blur effect by an image process as if it were taken by a lens with a large aperture size, and can obtain a higher-resolution image. To this end, the method includes the input step of inputting a first image, and a second image which has parallax with respect to the first image, and the image processing step of executing different image processes for first, corresponding regions of the first and second images input in the input step, and second regions different from the first regions in these images, and compositing the first and second images.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus capable of operating in at least a single-shot mode and a sequential mode, includes: an image sensor that outputs charge signals from a plurality of divided areas. A plurality of image processing units which respectively process the charge signals and output a plurality of image signals. A light source illuminates the plurality of divided areas of the image sensing device. Correction data is calculated on the basis of a plurality of image signals obtained by reading charge signals from the plurality of divided areas of the image sensing device, illuminating the image sensing device with the light source, and processing the read charge signals by the plurality of image processing units. The image signals are corrected using the correction data and combined to generate a combined image signal of a single image.

Abstract: An image taking system is provided with a digital camera capable of arbitrarily designating an AF position of the subject by moving an AF cursor displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a remote controller capable of remotely operating the digital camera. On this remote controller, the position of the AF cursor displayed on the LCD of the digital camera can be changed by operating a four-button switch. Since the user can designate the AF position without touching the digital camera by operating the remote controller, position designation can be performed precisely.

Abstract: There are provided an image memory which stores one image of a subject, an image fetch section which takes in an image from the image memory to another memory or register in a predetermined unit, a control section which takes charge of the overall control, a face characteristic storage section which stores a plurality of characteristics of a face, a recognition and judgment section which recognizes a face from the data from the image fetch section and the data from the face characteristic storage section and judges each portion, an edge detector which detects an edge detection value from the result data thereof, and an output section which outputs the final judgment result to the outside.

Abstract: An imaging device may capture images over at least two different focal lengths. The captured images may then be combined to create a composite image that depicts in-focus objects at different distances from the imaging device.

Abstract: A moving object detecting sensor and a speed sensor for measuring the running speed of a moving object are provided, and a shooting timing is decided based on the outputs of these detecting sensor and speed sensor. Thus, since the shooting timing is decided considering the speed of the moving object, even if the speed of the moving object changes, it can be prevented that the center of camera angle deviates from a predetermined shooting position.

Abstract: A photographing object image adjusting apparatus including a plurality of adjusting operation devices corresponding to a plurality of object image adjusting modes, respectively, and an object image adjusting device. Each of the plurality of adjusting operation devices is configured such that an adjusting operation giving an instruction of object image adjusting is performed by being manipulated. The object image adjusting device is configured to adjust an image of an object imaged on an imaging surface of a photographing element in an object image adjusting mode of the plurality of object image adjusting modes corresponding to an adjusting operation device of the plurality of adjusting operation devices in which the adjusting operation giving the instruction of object image adjusting has been performed.

Abstract: Each of a digital camera and a printer has an auto power saving function, shifts to a power saving mode when there is no operation of the user for predetermined time, and returns to a normal mode when there is any user operation. When the digital camera returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode, a WakeUp signal is transmitted to the printer. On receipt of the WakeUp signal, the printer returns to the normal mode. Also when the printer returns to the normal mode, the WakeUp signal is transmitted to the digital camera, and the digital camera returns to the normal mode. Thus, by returning one of the devices to the normal mode, both of the devices return to the normal mode, so that the devices can be more easily handled.

Abstract: A camera is made compact with its internal temperature adjusted to a more appropriate temperature. A temperature T is read from a temperature sensor disposed within the camera (S100) and it is judged whether or not the temperature T exceeds a threshold Tref1 (S102). When the temperature T exceeds the threshold Tref1, the operation of the camera is changed to a power-saving mode where the power consumption is lower than in the ordinary mode (S104). The threshold Tref1 is determined to be a rated temperature at which the camera can operate stably or a temperature lower than that. Thus, the temperature in the camera can be made appropriate.

Abstract: An image-capturing system includes an image-capturing module and a remote control. The image-capturing module has a digital camera for capturing images and a driving device for adjusting an image capturing angle of the digital camera. The remote control has a display panel for displaying images captured by the digital camera and a control panel for controlling the driving device. A user can utilize the control panel to control the driving device so as to change the image capturing angle of the digital camera, and can preview an image captured by the digital camera using the display panel of the remote control.

Abstract: In order that a recording medium can be attached to or detached from a main body of a digital camera in a state in which the digital camera is mounted on a stand for digital camera, there is provided the stand in which, a portion of a wall portion of the stand, facing a lower portion of a slot cover formed at a side surface of the camera man body of the digital camera in a state in which the digital camera is mounted on a holding portion of the stand, is an opening and closing wall portion, and the cover of the main body can be opened by opening the opening and closing wall portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptively varying a black stretch control range and a gain according to a mean level of a video signal to control black stretch of the video signal. According to the apparatus and method, the slope and range of black stretch are varied depending on the mean of the input video signal, so black stretch compensation can be adaptively performed depending on the brightness of a screen. Particularly, black stretch compensation can be effectively performed on a dark screen.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an interpolated pixel at a vertical position in a field of a video frame. The method comprises the steps of receiving at least two pixels vertically adjacent the vertical position in the field and at least three pixels from at least one adjacent field, detecting a degree of motion in the vicinity of the interpolated pixel, providing weighting factors based on the degree of motion, and calculating the interpolated pixel based on a combination of weighted contributions from the at least two pixels and the at least three pixels. The weighted contributions are derived from a combination of the weighting factors and at least vertical-temporal and temporal interpolation.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a digital television connected to a number of audio/video input devices. The television and at least two of the input devices support analog legacy communication schemes. The television is adapted to uniquely identify the analog output channels from each of the input devices. Uniquely identifying the analog output channels from each input device enables the television to automatically select the correct device output from among the numerous possibilities. This automation relieves the user of having to manually select the correct analog channel.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a display having a plurality of color channels, that includes the steps of: visually characterizing the gamma of the display; estimating a colorimetric mixing matrix for the display by determining luminance ratios of the color channels using heterochromatic photometry; and combining these luminance ratios with a chromaticity model for the display channels.

Abstract: A method of attenuating noise contained in an image signal according to the extent of the movement of the image signal based on the amount of noise, and an apparatus therefor are provided. This method includes measuring the amount of noise in an image signal by accumulating an offset between an input image signal and a delayed output image signal for a predetermined time, detecting the extent of the movement of the input signal based on the amount of noise measured, and forming an output image by controlling the specific weight of the input image signal and the delayed output image signal according to the detected movement.

Abstract: A luminance signal/chrominance signal separation apparatus is provided with a detector for detecting diagonal components of a luminance signal from a composite video signal, wide-band pass filters, and narrow-band pass filters, wherein band pass filters to be connected to a three-line chrominance separation circuit are selected according to the amount of diagonal components of the luminance signal, thereby reducing cross color and improving resolution.

Abstract: A dot detection section of a dot-interference detection section detects a portion where pixels are arranged as “dark-bright-dark” or “bright-dark-bright” in the horizontal direction, within a Y signal containing dot interference, separated by a YC separation process, and outputs the detection result as dot values to a horizontal array checking section and a vertical array checking section. The horizontal array checking section detects whether or not dot values of a predetermined number of pixels arranged horizontally in such a manner as to contain a subject pixel, have the same value. The vertical array checking section detects whether or not dot values of a predetermined number of pixels arranged vertically in such a manner as to contain a subject pixel, are alternately generated as 1 and 2. An enhancement processing section performs an enhancement process on the Y signal of portions other than the portions where dot interference occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time gamma correction of video in which a pixel having multiple components, e.g., RGB components, can be gamma corrected through a single access to a lookup table.

Abstract: An electro-optical device and a method for displaying an image are disclosed. A clear image with a clear profile can be displayed therein by processing input image data, for example input image data of TV broadcasting received by the device.

Abstract: Frequency conversion into a first intermediate frequency which is higher than a received frequency band is performed for a received signal by using a mixer 63 and a PLL 64. Next, an output of the mixer 63 is frequency converted into a second intermediate frequency of base band by using a quadrature mixer formed by mixers 67, 68 and a phase shifter 70. At this time, a frequency of local oscillation signal of a PLL 69 supplied to the quadrature mixer is controlled so as to be switched, depending on a position of received segment, between a frequency which is higher than the first intermediate frequency and a frequency which is lower than the same.

Abstract: A digital broadcast signal reproducing system including a first board having a tuner receiving a digital broadcast signal; a second board removably combined with the first board, the second board having a demodulator demodulating the digital broadcast signal into an analog signal and a memory storing information on a broadcasting mode therein; and a device driver controlling the tuner and the demodulator, and various chip sets according to the information on the broadcasting mode stored in the memory. With this configuration, a digital broadcast signal reproducing system and method thereof are economical for a manufacturer and a consumer because only a part thereof depending upon a broadcasting system is changed.

Abstract: A remote controller, a remote controlled electronic device, a remote control system for an electronic device and a remote control method for an electronic device are provided. The remote controller outputs a control code corresponding to a device ID, a device ID setting/change command and an operation command with respect to one or more electronic devices input from a user. The electronic device receives the device ID and/or control code from the remote controller and stores the received device ID. A control unit of the electronic device determines whether to operate in response to a control code received from the remote controller by checking whether the received device ID matches with the stored device ID. An output unit of the electronic device displays the device ID and/or a function in operation. With the remote controller, the user can display the device ID of the electronic device, input the device ID of an intended electronic device, and selectively control the intended electronic device.

Abstract: An improved remote control for interactive televisions is disclosed. The conventional remote control is improved by adding a light-scope as a remote-pointing device for defining an aiming point on the television screen. The light-scope consists of a photo detector and a lens system that defines a very narrow filed of view. An LED, driven by an electric signal converted from the light signal entering the light-scope, is used to create a communicating light signal. The communicating light signal, which is to some extent a replica of the light emitted from the aiming point, is sent back to the television for determine the aiming point.

Abstract: Projection lens systems for use with cathode ray tube (CRT) projection televisions are provided which have positive first lens units (U1) and negative second lens units (U2) where the negative second lens units are customized in terms of at least one optical property for at least two of the colors of light produced by the CRTs with which the units are used. The at least one optical property is not spectral transmission, although the second lens units can also be customized for spectral transmission. As illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1F and FIGS. 8B-8F, such customization of a non-transmissive property provides an effective and cost effective approach for improving the color performance of CRT projection lens systems. Constructions for the positive first lens unit which improve image contrast and reduce manufacturing costs are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active matrix type display providing a thin film transistor (TFT) as a switching device and the object is to provide an active matrix type display which can obtain large storage capacitor without thinning an insulating film between electrodes nor expanding an electrode to a pixel area. The active matrix type display is structured to have a plurality of gate wirings 4 formed on a glass substrate 1, a plurality of data wirings 6 formed on the glass substrate 1 substantially orthogonally to the gate wirings 4, the TFT decided by the gate wirings 4 and data wirings 6 and formed in a plurality of pixel areas arranged in a matrix shape, a pixel electrode 7 formed inside the pixel area and connected to the TFT, and a plurality of storage capacitor electrodes layers (2d, 62) forming a plurality of storage capacitors Cs1 and Cs2 between the glass substrate 1 and pixel electrode 7 via a plurality of insulating films (51,52).

Abstract: Image display device having an electrode forming layer which includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of drain lines, a plurality of switching elements and the a plurality of pixel electrodes,

Abstract: Image displaying and picking-up device having an imgae picking-up component in the backside of the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A lamp lighting terminal 4 which is a conductive pad connected to a power supply terminal of a lamp is mounted on a surface opposite to a light emitting surface of a flat-type light source apparatus 3. Then, a terminal of a inspection device 16 is brought into contact with the lamp lighting terminal 4 to light up a liquid crystal display apparatus, thereby allowing inspection to be carried out. The flat-type light source apparatus 3 may be provided with a light guide 9 inputting lights from a light source through the side to output the light through one surface. In this configuration, inspection work at the time of lighting inspection of a liquid crystal display is simplified, and a high-quality liquid crystal display can be obtained.

Abstract: A dual backlight for a liquid crystal display (LCD) that is both sunlight readable and night vision goggle (NVG) compatible uses one or more side-emitting fiber optic cables as a secondary light source, the side emitting fiber optic cable or cables being interposed between parallel mounted fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) display apparatus is constructed in such a way that a plurality of EL elements are disposed on one surface of an optically transparent substrate in a matrix so as to be isolated from each other and be powered individually, and at least one of a pair of electrodes is made of an optically transparent electrode, so that, when the EL elements are powered, light is emitted from the light emitting layers, wherein an optical device is provided on the other surface side of the substrate so that at least a portion of an incident light injected into the substrate and forming an angle to cause total reflection at the exit face is scattered and/or diffracted externally, and another portion of the incident light is weakly scattered and/or transmitted externally.

Abstract: There are provided at least two liquid crystal panels 10, 20 including the liquid crystals developing a memory effect, the liquid crystal developing a memory effect on a no-viewer side has a selective reflection wavelength set at 615 nm to 665 nm, the liquid crystal developing a memory effect on a viewer side has a selective reflection wavelength set at 490 nm to 540 nm, and a color filter 40 having a certain transmission property is provided between the liquid crystal developing a memory effect on the viewer side and the liquid crystal developing a memory effect on the no-viewer side.

Abstract: A light controlling film is disclosed, comprising a polymerized polymer network varying spatially in a direction normal to the film surface, where the polymerized polymer network is a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material mixed with a low molecular weight nematic material exibiting cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order, wherein wherein an electric field impressed in the film controls the reflection of circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A polarizing plate produced according to the present invention includes a polarizing film and a protective layer bonded to a surface of the polarizing film, where the protective layer has no irregularities like record grooves caused by stretching of the polarizing film, so that the polarizing plate with an improved appearance provides clear images even when reflected light is applied. Such a polarizing plate is produced by laminating a protective layer on at least one surface of a polarizer while limiting moisture content of the polarizer to a range from 5% to 30%. A value for the moisture content is obtained by a calculation based on an equation of moisture content (%)=[(A−B)/B]×100, when A denotes weight of the polarizer before bonding and B denotes weight of the polarizer after being kept in a dryer of 120° C. for seven hours.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which comprises front and rear panels, and electrodes, polarizers and a layer of liquid crystal disposed between the front and rear panels. The polarizer on the rear panel is preferably a reflecting type in at least one region of the spectrum and contains at least one element in the form of a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure contains at least two anisotropic layers separated by at least one intermediate layer which is optically transparent in the desired spectral region. The ratio of refraction indices and thickness of the layers in the multilayer structure is chosen such to provide an extremum for the ratio of the transmitted and reflected polarized light in the spectral region.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing anisotropic films obtained from a liquid crystal solution containing at least one organic compound is provided. The apparatus comprises means for holding a substrate carrying an anisotropic film and a processing facility including at least one channel or a system of connected channels, wherein the channel(s) is (are) provided with an input connected to means for supplying a working fluid and an output connected to a rarefaction or vacuum system, and at least a part of the channel (s) is open on the side of processed film. Means for moving the processing facility is provided to move the processing facility to the substrate. Means for pressing the processing facility to the surface of the anisotropic film and/or substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A back side polarizing plate adhered to a back side glass plate is formed into an extension region of a region where a right side glass plate and the back side glass plate do not overlap with each other. A liquid crystal display module is fixed to a light guide plate of a liquid crystal display back-lighting module by adhering a first region which is an outer periphery of a liquid crystal display and a second region which corresponds to the extension region of the back side polarizing plate to each other using double-faced adhesive tape. The double-faced adhesive tape is made up of a black PET (Polyethylene terephtalate) base material or a like having light blocking properties, and two adhesive layers formed respectively on both side surfaces of said black PET base material or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color filter comprising a transmission area and reflection area in which at least one color pixel of red, green and blue pixels is formed of the same material, wherein a transparent area having no color layer is formed in a part of the reflection area, at least one sub-area is formed in the transparent area, and the size of the sub-area is 20 &mgr;m or more and 2,000 &mgr;m or less. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display for both transmission display and reflection display with a cheap manufacturing cost, wherein the difference of chromaticity between the transmission display and reflection display is small, and the surface of the transmission area and reflection area have small step heights.

Abstract: A data wire device for interconnecting a pentile matrix display device includes a first blue sub-pixel data line disposed on a first substrate transmitting a first blue sub-pixel data signal, and a second blue sub-pixel data line disposed on the first substrate transmitting the first blue sub-pixel data signal, wherein the first and second blue data lines are interconnected between two blue sub-pixel regions of a display device and one blue sub-pixel data pad for receiving the first blue sub-pixel data signal from a driving circuit..

Abstract: A fabricating method of an array substrate for a transflective liquid crystal display device includes: sequentially depositing a first metal layer and an impurity-doped amorphous silicon layer on a substrate and etching the first metal layer and the impurity-doped amorphous silicon layer through a first mask process to form source and drain electrodes, a data line and an ohmic contact layer. An amorphous silicon layer, a first insulating layer and a second metal layer are sequentially deposited on the source and drain electrodes, the data line and the ohmic contact layer and etching the amorphous silicon layer, the first insulating layer and the second metal layer through a second mask process to form a gate electrode, a gate line and an active layer, the gate line defining a pixel region with the data line. A second insulating layer is formed on the gate electrode and the gate line.

Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode includes a first reflective region and a first transmissive region, a patterned reflective panel adjacent to the liquid crystal panel, the patterned reflective panel having a second reflective region and a second transmissive region, and a back light unit adjacent to the patterned reflective panel, wherein the patterned reflective panel is movable along a direction parallel to the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element which has the high speed response and the high contrast and a display device employing the same are provided. In a display device employing a reflection type liquid crystal light valve, a retardation of a retardation plate which is provided between a polarizing element such as a polarizing beam splitter and the reflection type liquid crystal light valve is generally made ¼ of the wavelength of the incident light, and an optical axis (a slow axis or a fast axis) of the retardation plate and the polarizing direction of the incident polarized light are shifted from each other by slightly larger than 0 degree in order to arrange such optical elements.

Abstract: An optical film having excellent light utilization efficiency and high brightness, and a liquid crystal display using the optical film. The optical film is formed by laminating integrally a brightness enhancement film (A) that separates natural light into transmitted light and reflected light and a collimating film (B) having an uneven portion on a surface thereof. Since an air interface is eliminated by the integral lamination of the brightness enhancement film and the collimating film, stray light is reduced, and the brightness enhancement film has an improved efficiency in reflecting and polarizing light; thereby, enhancing the brightness.

Abstract: A display element comprises a hologram, a barrier layer, and an optically transparent and electrically conductive layer. A film-based method for applying a barrier layer to a hologram without damaging the hologram from contact with solvent(s) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid crystal switching devices, liquid crystal cells made from the switching devices, and electrooptical cells made from the switching devices. The invention further provides methods for methods for changing the orientation of a liquid crystal in a liquid crystal switching device. The liquid crystal switching devices are constructed from a redox-active material supported by a substrate and a liquid crystal having a salt dispersed therein disposed atop the redox-active material.