Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system (900) to set an output quality of a next media frame, comprising application means (902) conceived to provide the output quality of a plurality of output qualities of the next media frame; and control means (904) conceived to set the output quality of the next media frame based upon a self-learning control strategy that uses a processing time and an output quality of a previous media frame to determine the output quality of the next media frame.

Abstract: Every prescribed unit of video data is analyzed to estimate a degree of influence of pictures represented by every prescribed unit of video data on a viewer. For example, every prescribed unit of three-dimensional video data is analyzed to estimate a degree of influence of a depth in three-dimensional pictures represented by every prescribed unit of three-dimensional video data on a viewer. Information is generated which represents the estimated influence degree. Every prescribed unit of video data and the generated information are outputted while they are related to each other.

Abstract: A system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium are provided for tracking moveable objects, such as large balls, that a group of participants can interact with. For example, the motion of the objects may be used to control or influence the motion of certain virtual objects generated in a virtual environment, which may interact with other virtual objects. The virtual objects and their interactions may be used to generate video information, which can be displayed to the participants and which may indicate the occurrence of certain game-related events. Audio information may also be generated based on the interactions, and used to produce sounds separately from or in conjunction with the virtual objects.

Abstract: An observation system for masking a privacy zone and method thereof are provided. The observation system has a camera part that photographs a certain observation area. An operation part receives a user-set command for selecting a privacy zone among the observation area, where the privacy zone requires no observation. A control part outputs a control signal for setting a mask area that masks the privacy zone according to the user-set command. An area set part generates a plurality of vertexes forming the mask area according to the control signal. An image signal process part uses a mosaic scheme to masks the privacy zone photographed by the camera part according to the mask area formed by the plurality of vertexes set by the area set part. An output part displays the mask area masked by the image signal process part. Therefore, the privacy zone photographed from the camera part is not displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are described for improving marker identification within a motion capture system. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a plurality of cameras configurable for a motion capture session, each of the cameras having an illuminating device for generating light and a lens for capturing light reflected off of one or more retro-reflective markers used for the motion capture session; and a plurality of pieces of polarized material coupled over the illuminating device and the lens of each of the cameras, wherein for each individual camera, either a first orientation or a second orientation for the polarized material is selected based on which other cameras are within the individual camera's field of view and the orientation of the polarized material used for the other cameras, the first orientation being perpendicular to the second orientation.

Abstract: A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.

Abstract: A information processing apparatus and method is disclosed wherein an image of a predetermined region can be picked up and a desired moving body in the predetermined region can be tracked readily to pick up an image of the moving body. A sensor image acquisition module acquires a sensor image. A moving body detection module detects moving bodies existing in a predetermined region based on the sensor image. A tracking object designation module designates one of the detected moving bodies. When a moving body is designated by the tracking object designation module, an image pickup mode changeover module sets the image pickup mode to a continuous tracking mode in which the designated moving body is tracked to pick up an image of the moving body. The invention can be applied, for example, to a monitoring system.

Abstract: Motion blurring of a moving object in an image is mitigated with tracking the moving object. A motion vector detection section 30 detects motion vector of the moving object moving in an image, which is made up of multiple pixels and acquired by an image sensor having time integration effects, by using image data Dva of the image. A motion-blurring-mitigated object image generation section 40 generates image data DBf of a motion-blurring-mitigated object image in which motion blurring occurred in the moving object in the image is mitigated by using the detected motion vector. A output section 50 combines the image data DBf of the motion-blurring-mitigated object image into a space-time location corresponding to the motion vector detected in the image based on background component image data DBb, to generate image data DVout of the motion-blurring-mitigated image.

Abstract: A method and system for damping movement of a stage, such as a stage to which camera optics are attached, is disclosed. A viscous substance, such as silicone oil, can be disposed between the stage and a snubber assembly so as to substantially mitigate ringing of the stage as it is moved from one position to another. The viscous substance also mitigates damage due to vibration and shock.

Abstract: Concerning increasingly downsized electronic devices equipped with cameras, an object of the present invention is to achieve easy adaptability of parts. A camera module includes an image sensor and a flash memory, and a main module includes an image processing unit and an SDRAM, and the two modules are connected through a flexible cable. The flash memory stores an image processing program for controlling the image processing unit. The image processing program is a program adapted for the camera module. The flash memory also stores adjustment data that is peculiar to the camera module. When the camera function is turned on, the program is downloaded to the main module and image processing is performed.

Abstract: This device includes an image data creator that creates a first type of image data for test shooting and creating a second type of image data for real shooting; a compressor that compresses the image data in a predetermined compression format; and a processor; wherein the compressor has one or plural compression parameters relating to a compression rate; the creator newly supplies files of the first type to the compressor one after another; the compressor compresses at least two files among the continuously supplied first type using values of compression parameters; the processor decides the value of the compression parameter to be used for the second type according to a predetermined standard, based on two and more files of first type image data that are compressed using values of compression parameters; and the processor sets the value of the compression parameter of the compressor at the decided value.

Abstract: A color processing method which sets viewing conditions easily and properly from shooting conditions added to an image. Shot image data and shooting conditions of the image data are obtained. Input side viewing conditions from the obtained shooting conditions are set. The image data with a color appearance model based on the set input side viewing conditions are converted.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a titling apparatus which can give a title proper for a user to an image.

Abstract: A digital camera includes mechanisms for storing a digital picture on a remote system via an existing communication infrastructure. A digital camera according to the present teachings enables a user of a digital camera to overcome the storage limitations of the digital camera even when away from their computer. In addition, a digital camera according to the present teachings enables a user of a digital camera to present their digital pictures on a personal web page for wide-spread access by friends and family.

Abstract: An imager having optically and electrically black reference pixels in each row of the imager's pixel array. Since the reference pixels of each row experience the same row-wise noise as active imaging pixels in the associated row, the signals from the reference pixels are used to cancel out row-wise noise from the row of imaging pixels. The reference pixels are designed such that their photosensors are physically or effectively removed from the row-wise noise correction, thus rendering them electrically black or dark. As such, the reference pixels can be used to provide row-wise noise correction without the adverse effects of warm and hot pixels.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit which picks up an image of an object so as to generate image data, a noise processing unit which processes dark current noise contained in the image data, and an image processing unit which generates images, based on the image data that have undergone the noise processing. The noise processing unit includes a whitening-out determining unit, a memory, a low-frequency component extracting unit and a subtractor. The memory records data values of dark current noise, and the low-frequency component extracting unit extracts low-frequency components from the data value of dark current noise. The whitening-out determining unit determines whether or not any whitening-out is caused in each pixel, and the subtractor subtracts the low-frequency component for the data value of the pixel having a whitening-out and subtracts the data value of dark current noise for the data values of the other pixels.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing device includes: a reference light irradiating section; a spatial light modulating section for generating information light; an information light irradiating section for irradiating the same region as a region irradiated with the reference light, with the information light; a light detecting section for receiving reproduction light; a known data storage section; a defect examining section for examining a defective position of the spatial light modulating section or the light detecting section by irradiating the information light and the reference light to write the known page data to the holographic recording medium, and then irradiating the medium with the reference light to read the known page data written on the holographic recording medium from the reproduction light received by the light detecting section; and a reproducing control section for restoring and reproducing the original data of the defective position using information of the defective position detected by the defec

Abstract: A method of capturing an image of a scene using an image capture device having an array of pixels, wherein the array of pixels includes pixels of different colors, includes, for a first duration, capturing a first portion of the scene with a first plurality of the pixels of a first color, and for a second duration, capturing a second portion of the scene with a second plurality of the pixels of a second color. The first and second durations are different and the first and second durations are chosen, at least in part, to improve the signal to noise ratio of the image capture device.

Abstract: An eye-imaging device and a portable terminal device using the same can take eye-images keeping a certain distance between the subject person's eye and camera. The eye-imaging device includes: an imager capable of switching over between a telephoto mode to take eye-images and a wide-angle mode to take facial images of a subject person, keeping a certain distance between the subject person's eye and camera; a display to display images taken by the wide-angle mode; a guide checker to check automatically that the eye has been guided to a predetermined position according to the image taken by the wide-angle mode; and a lens selector to switch over the imager automatically from the wide-angle mode to the telephoto mode when the guide checker checks that the eye has been guided to the predetermined position.

Abstract: Color 3D image input device (digitizer) and 3D image output device (display) that captures and show 3D images having the light fields. Direction-position-color of the light fields are controlled by various methods such as liquid crystal masks with photo-sensors, liquid crystal masks with color-image-emitter. Alternatively, micro-lens-array, micro-pinholes, liquid crystal pinholes, varifocal micro-lens arrays and varifocal index-gradient lens, etc. are used together with high-resolution and high-speed pattern-generating means with photo-sensors and photo-emitters. This can be used for 3D communication, 3DTV, 3D camera, cloaking device.

Abstract: Regarding the solid-state imaging device and the driving method therefor, each picture cell includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a capacitive element, a comparator portion, a reset portion and a select switch element. A control voltage application portion applies a first control voltage to a control line during a signal charging period to make a voltage of the output terminal of the photoelectric conversion portion deviate from the transition region of the comparator portion and applies a second control voltage to the control line during a signal reading period to bring the voltage of the output terminal of the photoelectric conversion portion into the transition region of the comparator portion. A load device that serves as a common load for the comparator portions of picture cells is connected between a signal line and a power source of a prescribed electric voltage.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor capable of outputting an image signal in accordance with a data loading position of a signal processing IC. In the image sensor that can arbitrarily select the start position of an output signal of a first photoelectric conversion element, a first input terminal of a scanning circuit of a photoelectric conversion circuit is connected to a selector circuit of a signal start position, and the selector circuit is controlled by a start signal through a start signal terminal and a delay circuit according to an external control signal.

Abstract: A power supply reset boosting element which boosts a level of the reset voltage to a level higher than the level of the power supply. The boosted voltage is isolated from both the power supply and from undesired switching by special transistors which can withstand the voltage power supply level.

Abstract: A method of capturing an image of a scene using an image capture device having an array of pixels arranged into a plurality of rows includes, for a first duration, capturing a first portion of the scene with a first plurality of the rows and, for a second duration that is longer than the first duration, capturing a second portion of the scene with a second plurality of the rows. If a pixel value is below a first threshold, an interpolated pixel value is used. If the pixel value is above a second predetermined threshold, a different interpolated pixel value is used.

Abstract: A CMOS solid state imaging device is capable of achieving a higher image quality while reducing the size and power consumption and increasing the number of pixels and speeds. According to the invention, in a CMOS solid state imaging device, including a light-receiving portion (11) that performs photoelectric conversion according to a quantity of received light, a transfer gate (12a) used to read out charges obtained through the photoelectric conversion in the light-receiving portion (11), and a peripheral transistor provided in a periphery of the light-receiving portion (11), and a driving method of the same, a voltage applied to the transfer gate (12a) is set higher than a voltage applied to the peripheral transistor.

Abstract: Since the great number of elements constituting a unit pixel having an amplification function would hinder reduction of pixel size, unit pixel n,m arranged in a matrix form is comprised of a photodiode, a transfer switch for transferring charges stored in the photodiode, a floating diffusion for storing charges transferred by the transfer switch, a reset switch for resetting the floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor for outputting a signal in accordance with the potential of the floating diffusion to a vertical signal line, and by affording vertical selection pulse ?Vn to the drain of the reset switch to control a reset potential thereof, pixels are selected in units of rows.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a CMOS imager with an integrated controller on a common integrated circuit substrate. Also integrated on the common substrate are, a serializer circuit including a dynamic arbiter under the control of the microcontroller core and a set of extended special function registers through which data is passed to allow the microcontroller to control the CMOS imager and the serializer circuit.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing apparatus in which a first signal converted linearly to the intensity of incident light, and a second signal converted logarithmically to the intensity of light, can be processed by a common circuit after undergoing a predetermined signal processing.

Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus is operative in accordance with multiple display modes. The image reproducing apparatus includes a data reproducing unit that reproduces an image on a display based on high dynamic range image data acquired from an object and stored in memory, and a dynamic range control unit that controls the dynamic range of the image to be reproduced on the display using one of different types of dynamic range control schemes in accordance with one of the display modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-taking apparatus whose CPU causes a display section to display recommended shooting modes according to a time frame on a liquid crystal monitor. The apparatus allows a user to readily select one, which is suitable for the scene where the user wants to take an image, from among the displayed shooting modes by operating a cross key and a MENU/OK button.

Abstract: When slide show image data sets are generated from a plurality of image data sets, the image data sets, DVD-Video files representing the slide shows generated from the image data sets, and information representing reproduction order are stored in a manner that allows a user to access them so that pleasure of the slide shows for the user is not ruined. The user changes the images to be included in the DVD-Video files and the reproduction order, while referring to the image data sets, the DVD-Video files, and the information. A digitalization center newly generates DVD-Video files according to the changed images and the changed reproduction order.

Abstract: A display apparatus of the present invention has a display section for displaying a plurality of groups of images on the same screen on a group basis. The display apparatus allows a user to select a desired group from the plurality of groups with the operation of a selection instruction section. When the user instructs image switching, only the images in the selected group is switched. Thus, the user can retrieve a target image efficiently from the groups of images managed on a group basis.

Abstract: The digital camera comprises: an image-taking device for converting light from a subject to a video signal and outputting the video signal; an image processor which has a gain adjuster for performing gain adjustment individually for respective color information of R, G, B of the video signal outputted from the image-taking device, and an image data converter for converting the adjusted video signal outputted from the gain adjuster into image data; a displaying device for displaying the image data; a setting device; and a controller for controlling the gain adjuster to perform RGB color discrimination of the video signal and gain adjustment individually on the respective color information by a command from the setting device.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements two dimensionally arrayed in an imaging area, a light shielding film that regulates the amount of external light incident on the photoelectric conversion elements by a wiring pattern, a wiring layer placed between the light shielding film and the photoelectric conversion elements, and a plurality of contacts electrically connecting the light shielding film with the wiring layer in a lamination direction. The shape of the light shielding film is defined by a plurality of first figures overlapping with a second figure, each first figure being placed over a different contact in plan view, and the second figure having a plurality of apertures each corresponding to a different photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus can immediately start image recording capable of preventing the deterioration of image quality, even when brightness of an object immediately after the activation of a power source is higher than a reference value. A filter control circuit automatically inserts a filter for reducing the transmitting light amount of an image capture optical system into the optical path of the optical system regardless of the state of a switch for inserting or withdrawing the filter, when the brightness of the object is higher than the reference value immediately after the activation of the power source. Moreover, the filer control circuit automatically withdraws the filter from the optical path regardless of the state of the switch, when the brightness of the object is lower than the reference value immediately after the activation of the power source.

Abstract: A method and system for biasing focusing optics of a miniature camera in a predetermined position are disclosed. A spring can be used to bias the optics in a position for focus at infinity. Such biasing mitigates power consumption, provides a failsafe feature, and mitigates the detrimental effects associated with the use of autofocus upon a subject having fuzzy features.

Abstract: A focus control device includes a lens unit including a focus lens; a focus lens driving mechanism that moves the focus lens to achieve an in-focus state; a focus status detector that detects a focus status acquired by the focus lens; a drive control unit that controls the focus lens driving mechanism so that the detected focus status is the in-focus state; a change detector that detects that an evaluation value for focus control has changed by a threshold value or more; and an execution control unit that waits in a state in which the drive control unit does not control the focus lens driving mechanism for a waiting time starting from a time when the change detector detects that the evaluation value has changed by the predetermined threshold value or more, and that causes the drive control unit to control the focus lens driving mechanism when the state in which the evaluation value has changed by the predetermined threshold value or more is maintained until the waiting time has elapsed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method is disclosed wherein a detailed image of a moving body can be picked up accurately. A tracking object pan tilt zoom module reads out moving body information stored in a moving body tracking rank management database at predetermined intervals of time, and pan tilt movement of a zoom camera is controlled based on angle-of-view information as appearance information corresponding to an angle of view of a moving body having the highest priority rank. At this time, an additional tracking object pan tilt module reads out the latest moving body information of the moving body tracking rank management database at intervals of time sufficiently shorter than the predetermined intervals of time at which the tracking object pan tilt zoom process is repeated, and the pan tilt movement of the zoom camera is further controlled repetitively.

Abstract: A system and method for averaging incident light on plural pixels using a CMOS sensor is provided. The process includes resetting all pixels in a given region during a reset phase; and reading a voltage of a floating reset node as a function of time during a measurement phase. During the reset phase, an access select signal and a reset voltage are both high. The measurement phase begins when the access select signal is low and the reset voltage is still high. The system and method may be used to perform automatic exposure control and automatic white balancing operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining in vivo images. The system contains an imaging system and a transmitter for transmitting signals from a camera to a receiving system located outside a patient.

Abstract: An electronic device has a flat chassis containing a recording medium mounting unit and a battery mounting unit. In the device, one of the recording medium mounting unit and the battery mounting unit is positioned approximately at the center of the chassis and the other is positioned to one side of the mounting unit positioned approximately at the center of the chassis. An opening of the mounting unit positioned approximately at the center of the chassis is provided on a first end face of the chassis and an opening of the other mounting unit is provided on a second end face of the chassis continuous with the first end face of the chassis.

Abstract: A reproduction system reproduces interlaced video data in a deinterlaced form. The system selects a deinterlacing algorithm used to process the interlaced video data. The deinterlaced video data is sent to a display device. The reproduction system responds to a manual or automated input that selects a deinterlacing algorithm.

Abstract: A network interface device connectable to a network, the device being arranged to receive digital audio data representing an audio signal and, substantially in real time, to launch data packets representing the digital audio data onto the network, the device comprising: an attribute detector arranged to generate attribute data representing an attribute of the audio signal; and a packetiser operable: to format the digital audio data into audio data packets to be launched onto the network; and to format the attribute data into attribute data packets, separate from the audio data packets, to be launched onto the network.

Abstract: A method for modulating a video signal. Frames are selected from a plurality of frames for modulation. Intensity of a plurality of pixels of a plurality of scan lines of a field of the selected frames is altered according to at least one pattern or as designated by an adjustment.

Abstract: To present a moving picture processing device having a user interface very easy to use when selecting part of moving pictures from multiple moving pictures. The moving picture processing device comprises a moving picture display unit for displaying whole or part of plural stored moving pictures sequentially, an input accepting unit for accepting an input for display of moving picture, a moving picture menu compiling unit for compiling a menu of moving pictures displayed when the input accepting unit accepts the input, and a menu display unit for displaying a menu of moving pictures compiled by the moving picture menu compiling unit.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to apparatuses such as television signal processing apparatus that process radio frequency signals. More specifically, the present application is particularly useful in integrated circuits that must combine circuitry operating in a synchronous-sampling mode that must be adapted for use with a fixed rate sampling mode application. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal processing apparatus comprises a source of a fixed rate digital signal, signal processing circuitry operating in a synchronous-sampling mode wherein the signal processing circuitry comprises a signal representing a symbol rate, and an interpolator for processing the fixed rate digital signal to yield samples at the symbol rate.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a frame-cyclic noise reduction employed for an image display device in which one field is divided into a plurality of sub-fields, and turned-on sub-fields are properly combined to provide image with gradation. The device detects an area where an edge portion of image becomes unclear, i.e., where sub-field fuzziness becomes worse, and controls a cyclic amount for the area in which sub-field fuzziness becomes worse so as to be different from that for other area, thereby decreasing noise.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an edge transition in a video signal comprising the steps of receiving a video signal including an edge transition, generating a correction signal for the edge transition, applying the correction signal to the video signal to produce a corrected signal and restricting the amplitude of the corrected signal to extend between extended maximum and minimum amplitude limits in dependence on the measured maximum and minimum amplitudes of a predefined pattern of pixels adjacent to the edge transition.

Abstract: The sense of contrast perceived by a viewer of an image is quantified and adequate image processing is carried out on image data based on the sense of contrast. Contrast-sense quantification means generates unsharp image data of the image data and then generates a histogram of the unsharp image data. Since the histogram of the image data includes lightness information of details of the image, a distribution width thereof does not represent the contrast perceived by the viewer of the image as a whole. However, since the histogram of the unsharp image data excludes information of the details, a distribution width of the unsharp image data represents the contrast of the overall image. The distribution width of the histogram of the unsharp image data is found as the sense of contrast and input to processing means. In the processing means, tone conversion processing is carried out on the image data by changing a tone conversion LUT based on the sense of contrast, and processed image data are obtained.

Abstract: A projection type video reproducing apparatus includes a video display element that visualizes a video signal, a video display element drive circuit that drives the video display element, a high-speed response light source that applies projection light onto the video display element, a light source drive circuit that turns the light source on, and a video signal conversion portion.