Abstract: The delays in digital still cameras due to the lag between the press of the shutter release and the shutter opening and due to the reaction time of the photographer are compensated for by continuously capturing and storing images and by selecting a desired one of the images based on the lags. Upon processing an indication from the photographer, the camera begins capturing images at regular images and stores the most recent images in a first-in first-out buffer. At a second indication from the photographer, the camera selects, in accordance with the lags, the image in the buffer a fixed amount of time prior to the second indication for further processing. In this way, both the delay due to human reaction time and the delay due to shutter lag have been compensated for.

Abstract: In a signal reading method for a solid-state image pickup apparatus, an estimated photometric value is calculated at the time of preliminary image pickup and compared with a threshold value set beforehand. If the estimated photometric value is smaller than the threshold value, it is then determined that a scene to be pickup up has a narrower dynamic range to execute control reading out signal charges from the main and subregions of the individual photosensitive cell while mixing them together. If the estimated photometric value is not smaller than the threshold value, the signal charges of the main and subregions are read out independently of each other.

Abstract: A digital camera docking system user interface provides, on the display of the digital camera, information regarding the operation of the digital camera docking system. The user interface may guide the user in the initiation of interactions between the digital camera and external devices such as television monitors, personal computers, and printers and may also provide feedback regarding the progress of these interactions.

Abstract: A digital camera including a photosensor with a plurality of picture elements that define an image resolution that is adjustable.

Abstract: A strobe or flash that charges the strobe capacitor dependent on the measured light and strobe use model can improve the battery life in a portable device. The scene illumination is measured and the current charge level of the strobe capacitor is measured. If the scene needs more light than the charge can supply, then a charge process is started. The rate of charge is dependent on the amount of additional illumination needed for the scene and the difference between the current charge level and the required charge level of the strobe capacitor.

Abstract: A scanning camera includes an imaging device for capturing an image of an object with a photoelectric-conversion imaging element; a support shaft for supporting the imaging device to change a photographing direction of the imaging device; a frame for supporting the imaging device through the support shaft; a driver fixed to the frame for rotating the imaging device; and a flexible connector electrically connected to the imaging element and extending to the frame from the imaging device. The flexible connector extends from at least two positions at both sides relative to an axis of the support shaft such that the two portions are parallel to the axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: In a television set, image quality is adjusted in accordance with parameters calculated on the basis of adjustment values used in the past, depending on a feature of an image and an environmental status. A weight calculator determines a weight depending on the manner in which a user performs a volume control operation. A cumulative weight memory outputs a cumulative weight corresponding to the feature value. Output volume values used in past are stored in a volume value generator. The volume value generator calculates output volume values corresponding to a feature value on the basis of parameters indicating final adjustment values, the feature value, the weight, and the cumulative weight. The calculated volume values are stored in the volume value generator. Under the control of a system controller, the volume values stored in the volume value generator are output to a coefficient generator.

Abstract: A deinterlacing apparatus and method use a buffer unit having a previous field buffer, a current field buffer, and a next field buffer to store, sequentially, individual fields of an image signal; calculate a Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) value of a predetermined search region unit with reference to a next field stored in the next field buffer and a previous field stored in the previous field buffer; determine whether the predetermined search region is a still region and whether a source of the image signal is a film based on the SAD value; uses a 3D interpolation unit to output adaptively a temporal interpolation value and a spatial interpolation value based on motion information; and adaptively select a deinterlacing result based on the previous field, the next field, and an output of the 3D interpolation unit according to a signal outputted from the still region/film mode detection unit.

Abstract: A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device.

Abstract: The application describes a technique of synchronizing a digital video signal for transmitting it in the uncompressed form via a synchronous hierarchy network having its internal clock, by standard frames of the network. The technique comprises steps of obtaining the video signal as a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) signal having its initial video clock and presenting a succession of video frames, storing said video signal, using the video clock, in a buffer memory having capacity of one or more complete video frames, reading said video signal from the buffer memory using a transport clock derived from the internal clock of the synchronous hierarchy network.

Abstract: A desired range of moving image data is designated. Then, still images obtained from a start frame and an end frames in the designated range are displayed, and an interface for designating trimming areas is provided for the two frames. The trimming areas are set in a predetermined frame to be extracted from the designated range based on the trimming areas designated by using the interface. The predetermined number of frames is extracted from the designated range of the moving image data, a partial image in the set trimming areas is extracted from the extracted predetermined number of frames, and a predetermined number of continuous still images are generated. The obtained continuous still image is printed onto a recording sheet via a printing device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.

Abstract: An image processing method for sporting events including golf and ski jump, in which an event parameter or variable or the athlete is to reach a predetermined position, wherein electronically processed marker images including lines, drawings, symbols, and colors are overlaid on the original image at a point close to said predetermined position or at multiple points, each distant from said position. This allows TV viewers to see, for example in a golf match, how far the ball is driven and how close the ball is to the cup on the green, as well as the flight of the ball.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the clarity of video images by changing the pulse response characteristics. A correcting signal that is proportional to the slope of the rise time is generated, processed and then added to the original signal. The combined signal is then monitored with a device that has the ability to check for the presence of overshoots on fast rise time high amplitude signals. When such overshoots are detected, the system switches to a component of the signal which has no overshoot for the duration in time that the overshoot exists, thereby greatly diminishing or eliminating the overshoots.

Abstract: A television tuner has a high frequency tuning circuit, a high frequency amplifier, a mixer, and an oscillating section. The tuning circuit is made up of an inductor and plural capacitors and at least one of the capacitors is selected and connected in parallel with the inductor; and the oscillating section has at least plural oscillators which are included in an integrated circuit. In the integrated circuit, the oscillators respectively have variable capacitors to vary a frequency of a local oscillation signal. Groups into which a receiving frequency band is divided correspond to the oscillators on the basis of one oscillator per group; and each of the oscillators generates local oscillation frequencies depending on television signals in the corresponding group.

Abstract: In measuring the angle of inclination of a liquid crystal projector with respect to the screen for automatically adjusting a trapezoidal distortion, the calculation of the angle of inclination by determining the distance from the screen using a distance sensor conventionally requires a high distance measurement accuracy and hence an expensive distance sensor. According to the invention, a distance sensor is rotated and the level of the wave reflected from it is observed. The angle of inclination with respect to the screen is detected from the rotational angle associated with the maximum value of the level of the reflected wave thereby to correct the trapezoidal distortion. In this way, the trapezoidal distortion can be adjusted automatically using an inexpensive distance sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical engine of a projection television in which a path of illumination emitted from a light source is aligned to correspond with the image producer by turning a screw of a mirror device. The object of the present invention can be achieved by an optical engine of a projection television including a light generator, a mirror device for reflecting illumination emitted from the light generator thereby changing a path of the illumination, in which a reflection angle of the illumination can be adjusted, and a projection apparatus for enlarging and projecting the image produced in the image producer on the screen by reflecting the image to an incident illumination from the mirror device, wherein the path of the illumination is aligned to correspond to the whole image produced in the image producer to be projected on the screen by adjusting the mirror device.

Abstract: A television-watchable refrigerator system and a method for operating the same. A Web pad is detachably mounted on the outer surface of a refrigerator and a television (TV) module or TV antenna module is provided to receive a television signal and wirelessly transmit the received television signal to the Web pad, thereby removing a need for wiring to provide a wired connection of the refrigerator with a television antenna terminal. The TV module or TV antenna module is connected with a television set or television antenna terminal to receive a television signal therefrom and wirelessly transmit the received television signal to the Web pad. The Web pad is detachably mounted on the outer surface of the refrigerator to wirelessly receive the television signal from the TV module or TV antenna module and display it.

Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of arrays of thin film transistors (TFT's) on silicon substrates and the dicing and tiling of such substrates for transfer to a common module body. TFT's activate display electrodes formed adjacent the transistors after the tiles have been transferred.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a gate line having a first width formed extending along a first direction on a substrate, a gate insulation film formed to cover the gate line, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulation film, a storage contact hole having a first width exposing a portion of the semiconductor layer, and a pixel electrode having a first end portion extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to electrically contact the semiconductor layer through the storage contact hole, the first end portion has a first length larger than the first width of the gate line, wherein the first width of the storage contact hole is larger than the first width of the gate line.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical element includes: first and second substrates; a liquid crystal layer provided between the substrates; first and second electrode layers provided on the first and second substrates, respectively, so as to face each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed between them; and first and second switching layers, which are provided between the first electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer and between the second electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer, respectively, and each of which includes molecules changing their orientation directions in response to a voltage applied between the first and second electrode layers. The liquid crystal layer changes its orientation state as the molecules in the first and second switching layers change their orientation directions. Each of the molecules included in one of the first and second switching layers and an associated one of the molecules included in the other switching layer behave as enantiomers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel is provided. The LCD panel has a first substrate having at least a conductive material layer thereon, a second substrate having at least a repair line positioned in a predetermined area, and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. The predetermined area is underneath the first substrate excluding the portions having the conductive material layer, thus reducing RC delay of the repair line.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus having a light conductor plate, a light source arranged on a side surface of the light conductor plate so as to light a liquid crystal cell arranged on a front surface side of the light conductor plate from a back surface side thereof. The light conductor plate having an incident surface for a light from the light source, a light emitting surface for emitting the input light to the liquid crystal cell, and a plurality of dots constituted by small projecting portions or small recess portions for changing a moving direction of the light from the incidence surface toward a direction of the light emitting surface, the dots being formed in the light emitting surface and a surface of the light conductor plate opposite to the light emitting surface with each of the dots having a height or depth within a range of 2 to 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: To show a plurality of individual images, a multi-panel display is used, which includes a plurality of adjacent flat display units. Each unit is provided with a respective housing and each has a display surface. The flat display units have sealant disposed around the housing. In such an arrangement, ambient light behind the multi-panel display is prevented from shining through gaps between adjacent flat display units, which might otherwise cause a distraction for the viewer of the multi-panel display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell, and a fabricating method thereof, that incorporates a light-cured monomer in a ferroelectric liquid crystal. By injecting the light-cured monomer/ferroelectric liquid crystal between substrate while in a nematic phase or isotropic phase, by performing DC voltage treatments as the liquid crystal temperature decreases, and by performing a light irradiation treatment, a stable, aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal cell is produced. Such a ferroelectric liquid crystal cell can reduce flicker and can be realigned after a physical shock.

Abstract: The invention pertains to displays and devices, and discloses designs of a multilayer plate, which may be used in the manufacture of displays, and a design of a display with internal polarizers.

Abstract: In the present invention, a provision of a method for manufacturing a color filter capable of forming a highly sophisticated pattern, to be formed easily at a low cost is desired.

Abstract: A color display device comprising at least two substrates spaced from each other, the substrates each having an internal and an external surface, the internal surfaces of the two substrates facing each other, at least one of the substrates being transparent; electrodes positioned to establish a field in the space between the two substrates; an optically active material occupying at least a portion of the space between the two substrates and having optical properties influenced by the field; a color filter layer comprising color filter elements that alter the color of light traveling through the color filter layer, the color filter elements being positioned outside of the space between the two substrates; and a three-dimensional black mask comprising mask elements aligned with the boundaries between adjoining color filter elements.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and method for manufacturing the same in which a plurality of patterns are formed on one substrate reduces the manufacturing cost and simplifies the process steps by minimizing the number of masks required to form the patterns. The LCD device includes first and second substrates, a thin film transistor (TFT) formed in a predetermined region on the first substrate, a pixel electrode formed in a pixel region on the first substrate, a color filter layer formed on the pixel electrode, a black matrix pattern formed in a region other than the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates. The method for manufacturing the LCD device having a pixel region defined by gate and data lines, includes the steps of forming a TFT on a first substrate, forming a black matrix pattern in a region other than the pixel region, forming a pixel electrode in the pixel region, and forming a color filter layer on the pixel electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides electro-optical device that can include, on a TFT array substrate, pixel electrodes, TFTs for switching the respective pixel electrodes, and scanning lines and data lines respectively connected to the TFTs. By laminating a capacitive electrode and a capacitive line with an interlayer insulator interposed therebetween, a storage capacitor can be formed in a region overlapping the scanning line in a plan view. This arrangement increases a pixel aperture ratio and the capacitance of the storage capacitor, thereby reducing cross-talk and ghost and presenting a high-quality image display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus including a glass substrate 53, a transparent electrode 55 arranged on the glass substrate, a glass substrate 40, a thin film transistor (TFT) 44 arranged on the glass substrate 40, an insulation film 45 arranged on the TFT 44 and having a convex/concave structure 45a on its surface, a reflection electrode 48 arranged along the convex/concave structure 45a and connected to the TFT 44, and a liquid crystal layer 56 sandwiched between the transparent electrode 55 and the reflection electrode 48. The insulation film 48 protects the TFT transistor 44 after being formed and has the convex/concave structure 45a formed irregular arrangement of regions having different film thickness values. Thus, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the switching element during the production as well as to reduce the number of production steps.

Abstract: A reflector includes a reflection substrate and an optical diffusion layer deposited on the reflection substrate, which is provided with a plurality of reflection inclined planes continuously formed on a surface thereof with a stripe geometry in plan view and a surface of each refection inclined plane is an irregular irregular surface, and the optical diffusion layer is made of a matrix of a transparent resin or a transparent adhesive having fine particles dispersed therein so as to flatten the reflection substrate.

Abstract: A double-sided LCD panel is comprised of a transflective LCD panel and a light-emitting device. One surface of the transflective panel is used in the transparent mode, and the other surface is used in the reflective mode, achieving the goal of double-sided display. The light-emitting device may function as the front light source of the display surface in the reflective mode and the backlit source of the display surface in the transparent mode. In this manner, one can use a single panel for double screen display. This can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of light-weighted products and lowering the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal device in which color display can be made uniform over the display surface in both the reflective display mode and the transmissive display mode. The liquid crystal device can include a pair of substrates which sandwich liquid crystal, a light reflecting film formed on the substrate, and a color filter formed on the light reflecting film. The color filter can include a partitioning member, which divides the surface of the substrate into a plurality of sections, and subpixels which are individually formed in the sections. The light reflecting film is provided with openings formed at regions corresponding to the thickest parts of the subpixels, openings formed at regions corresponding to central parts of the section, openings which extend in longitudinal direction of the rectangular sections, or openings formed in the shape corresponding to the thickness distribution of the subpixels.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided, which includes: first and second gate lines, a data line intersecting the gate lines, first to fourth drain electrodes located near the intersections between the first and second gate lines and the data line, and a coupling electrode. First to fourth pixel electrodes respectively connected to the first to fourth drain electrodes are also provided, and the first pixel electrode is connected to the coupling electrode while the fourth pixel electrode overlaps the coupling electrode. The LCD further includes a common electrode opposite the pixel electrodes, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, and a domain partitioning member formed on at least one of the pixel lelectrode and the common electrode. Two long edges of the domains are angled with respect to the first and the second gate lines or the data line substantially by about 45°.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes (a) a first substrate including a first area in which an incident light is reflected and a second area through which a light passes, and further including a pixel electrode covering the first and second areas therewith, (b) a second substrate including at least an opposing electrode, (c) a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates and including liquid crystal molecules each having a major axis aligned perpendicularly to the first and second substrates when no electric field is applied thereto, and (d) a first alignment-controller for controlling alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, the first alignment-controller being arranged at a boundary of the first and second areas or in the vicinity of the boundary.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vertical alignment liquid crystal display device with high-speed response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vertical alignment liquid crystal display device with high-speed response.

Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device including a first substrate and a second substrate, data lines and gate lines arranged in a matrix form on the first substrate to define a pixel, a thin film transistor at a cross portion of the gate and data lines, a black matrix over the gate lines, data lines, and the thin film transistor, a color filter layer in the pixel, at least a pair of a common electrode and a pixel electrode over the color filter layer and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A display portion is divided by scan lines and signal lines into sections where pixels are provided. Contact holes each for connecting common wiring and a common electrode together are not formed for all the pixels, but decimated so as to be arranged in zigzags.

Abstract: A method for discharging an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display panel includes providing a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor substrate, forming a liquid crystal layer between the color filter substrate and thin film transistor substrate to form a liquid crystal display panel, and discharging at least one surface of the liquid crystal display panel by an ionizer.

Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device comprises first and second substrates, a plurality of gate and data bus lines defining pixel regions and arranged on the first substrate, a plurality of data electrodes on same plane of the data bus lines these some parts are overlapped with adjacent gate bus line, a passivation layer on the data electrodes, a plurality of common electrodes on the passivation layer these some parts are overlapped with adjacent data electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image display panel, a first wiring printed circuit board which is arranged close to the image display panel, and a second wiring printed circuit board which is arranged between the image display panel and the first wiring printed circuit board in a striding manner. The second wiring printed circuit board is constituted such that at least a wiring layer which allows inputting of signals thereto from the first wiring printed circuit board side and outputting of signals therefrom to the image display panel side is formed on a surface of a flexible printed circuit board. The first wiring printed circuit board includes a portion having a width smaller than a width of the first wiring printed circuit board at a side thereof opposite to the image display panel.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, a seal pattern disposed between outer peripheral portions of the first and second substrates, and a plurality of venting portions formed in the seal pattern at corner portions of the first and second substrates for venting air confined between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: Sealing materials are formed in a reliable manner without the occurrence of peeling-off thereof. Between respective substrates which are arranged to face each other with liquid crystal inserted therebetween, the sealing materials which fix another substrate to one substrate while being used for sealing the liquid crystal are formed and a plurality of liquid crystal filling ports are formed in the sealing material. Further, a width of the sealing material having the shortest length out of respective sealing materials which connect between respective liquid crystal filling ports is made longer than widths of other sealing materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical display apparatus in which simple matrix driving is realized, whereby apparatus constitution can be simplified, and the price of the apparatus can be lowered. The electrochemical display apparatus performs display by use of electrochemical deposition/dissolution of a metal. The display apparatus is driven by a simple matrix driving system, in which a deposition overvoltage at the time of deposition of metallic ions as the metal is used as a threshold in the simple matrix driving. A driving voltage is set to be not more than two times the deposition overvoltage. The electrochemical display apparatus includes transparent electrodes and counter electrodes, the display is performed by utilizing deposition/dissolution of the metal on the transparent electrodes, and the potential difference between the metal to be deposited on the transparent electrodes and the counter electrodes is set to be less than the deposition overvoltage.

Abstract: A spectacles frame comprising two temples (12, 14), a frame body (10) having housing-forming means (22) inside which the temple bodies (12A, 14A) can be housed and from which said temple bodies can be extracted, and retaining means for retaining each of the first temple end portions inside said housing-forming means (22). Each of the first temple end portions has a retaining head, and each end portion (23′, 23″) of the housing-forming means (22) is provided with at least one constriction which is suitable for retaining a respective one of the retaining heads. Each temple body (12A, 14A) has a flexible zone (14E) which has flexibility greater than the flexibility of an ordinary portion of said temple (12A, 14A) and which can form a bend (12F, 14F) suitable for being opened out for penetrating into the housing-forming means (22).

Abstract: An improved ten-layer performance polarized lens for sunglasses. The lens design maximizes the benefit to watermen, giving them a combination of outer hydrophobic overcoat to protect the lens from seawater and smudging, multi-layer dielectric mirror which further reduces glare and overall light transmission, two layers of high-contrast blue-blocking amber or color-discriminating grey ophthalmic CR-39 plastic or polycarbonate, sandwiching a polarizing layer. The foregoing layers are arranged to provide a balanced light transmission profile optimum for use on the water in which 100% of UV-A & B light is absorbed to at least 400 nm. An alternative embodiment is described in which a Rugate filter is incorporated in place of or in addition to the multi-layer dielectric mirror. The resulting watermens' dielectric-mirrored sunglass lens reduces both overall light transmission and ocular photochemical damage, and is available in either high-contrast blue-light blocking amber or grey coloration.

Abstract: A metallic vapor deposition lens provided with a protection coat is provided, the surface of which lens is finished smooth and good at abrasion-proof characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining distances in the anterior ocular segment, preferably of the pupils and/or the diameter of the iris, wherein the image of at least part of the eye is recorded and digitized using an imaging device and an array for illuminating the eye. On the basis of said digital image, a center of gravity analysis and the determination of the central point are carried out, especially for the position of the pupils, by conducting an intensity and threshold analysis as rough determination. Based on said rough determination, a fine detection of the position of the edges of the pupil and/or the edges of the iris is carried out. Additionally, the angle between the visual axis and the optical axis of the eye can be determined from the position of a fixed reflection to the center of the pupil and/or the center of the iris.