Abstract: A light irradiation device and an inkjet printer equipped with the light irradiation device, the light irradiation device having a short-arc type discharge lamp with a pair of electrodes which face each other within a discharge vessel, a reflector surrounding the discharge lamp so as to reflect light from the discharge lamp, and a cylindrical lens that focuses light reflected by the reflector in a uniaxial direction in a manner forming a light irradiation zone having an elongated linear shape. Plural lamps with respective reflectors and lenses can be arranged in a row to increase the size of the linear irradiation zone formed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having almost the same scale and function as printing apparatuses the usable maximum paper size of which is equivalent to A-4 size can print an image on a paper the size of which is larger than A-4 as necessary. A printing mechanism section (101) and a paper feed mechanism section (180) print an image according to printing data on one side of a paper which can be an expansion printing paper folded once or more times and developable after printing. The paper feed mechanism section (180) reverses a paper and feeds the reversed paper to the printing mechanism section (101). By using a printing mode selecting function of a printer driver (410), a predetermined printing mode is selected from printing modes in which the image is printed in different printing forms on the paper.

Abstract: A portable data processing system having print capabilities includes a portable computer having a housing, a print unit attached to the housing, and an ink container connected to the printhead of the print unit. The print unit includes a full page width ink jet printhead, a paper path, intake and output rollers, control circuitry, and electrical power and standard data protocol data connections with the portable computer. The use of a stationary printhead and a reduced clock rate allows full functionality of the print unit without sacrificing needed portability.

Abstract: A thermal printer unit according to the invention includes a thermal head, a platen roller which is disposed while facing the thermal head, a support member which fixes the thermal head while thermal transfer ribbon and receptor paper are pressurized and nipped between the thermal head and the platen roller, a conveyance mechanism which conveys the thermal transfer ribbon and the receptor paper using the thermal head and the platen roller, an engaging groove which prevents the thermal head from moving in a paper conveyance direction by the support member, and a retaining portion which prevents the thermal head from moving in a rotating direction, the movement of the thermal head in the rotating direction being generated according to rotation of the platen roller.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of smoothly and reasonably conducting image formation in case of using a lens (lenses) of which optical magnification is minus. An image forming apparatus of the invention comprises: a line head having lenses of which optical magnification is minus and a light emitter array in which a plurality of light emitting elements are aligned. The lenses are plural in an axial direction (main scanning direction) of an image carrier and a direction (sub scanning direction) perpendicular to the axial direction. A light emitter block composed of “m×n” (in number) light emitting elements is disposed relative to each lens. The “m×n” light emitting elements comprises “n” (in number) light emitting element lines arranged in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and each light emitting element line includes “m” (in number) light emitting elements aligned in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image recording device, which records an image on an image-drawing region of a strip-shaped flexible substrate stretched between a supply reel and a take-up reel, includes: a stage section for suctioning and conveying the flexible substrate; an alignment section for sensing an alignment mark of the flexible substrate; a correcting section which, on the basis of the sensed alignment mark, corrects image data to be recorded on the flexible substrate; and a recording section for recording the image data corrected by the correcting section on the flexible substrate. The stage section suctions the flexible substrate and moves reciprocatingly along a conveying path. On an outward trip, the alignment section senses the alignment mark of the flexible substrate, and on a return trip, the recording section records the image data corrected by the correcting section.

Abstract: A method and system for informing a user of a wireless communication device about conformance of a video sequence captured by the user with a target use for the video sequence. In one aspect, a wireless communication device comprises a video capture system, a user interface and a processor communicatively coupled with the video capture system and the user interface, wherein under control of the processor a video sequence captured by the video capture system is rendered on a display of the user interface while information on conformance of the video sequence with at least one target use for the video sequence is rendered on the display. Target use limit markers and advisory screen events rendered on the display allow the user who is shooting the video sequence to better budget the time afforded by the target use.

Abstract: A video telephony apparatus and signal transmitting/receiving method for a mobile terminal are disclosed. The video telephony apparatus includes: a radio frequency unit for establishing a video call connection; an audio processor for collecting and reproducing an audio signal including a voice signal; a caption generator for converting the voice signal into a text caption signal; a camera module for photographing target objects to generate an image signal carrying photographed images; a video processor for combining the text caption signal and image signal into a video signal; a display unit for displaying visual image data; and a control unit for controlling the radio frequency unit to transmit the video signal. As a result, text captions corresponding to a voice signal can enhance the conversations during a mobile video telephony service.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system thereof for displaying a stereoscopic image including left-eye image data and right-eye image data. The invention utilizes persistence of vision to process the stereoscopic image based on display frequency, such that different images can be displayed at different time but on the same line of a screen. Accordingly, when the stereoscopic image is being displayed, the vertical resolution can be enhanced, and discontinuity of frames can be eliminated.

Abstract: A circuitry testing method, comprising: providing a circuit board needing testing; applying a potential(160) to the circuit board needing testing so that the circuit board works and operating elements of the circuit board needing testing emit infrared rays; testing an intensity of radiation of the infrared rays using an infrared sensor(110); converting the radiation intensity to RGB(red, green, blue) data signals in order to form a diagnostic infrared image, using a processor(130); providing a standard infrared image; comparing the diagnostic infrared image with the standard infrared image; and determining whether the circuit board is defective according to the comparison.

Abstract: A surveillance security system is used for selectively storing motion image data of an object to be detected. The surveillance security system includes an image-capturing device for capturing images from an object; a memory module for storing the image data; and a controller for controlling a storage process of the memory module. The controller includes a sampling module for taking a plurality of image frames from the image data; and a control-signal generating module for receiving the image frames and generating a write enable signal by comparing the image frames, wherein the write enable signal is used for controlling the storage process of the memory module. A surveillance security method for selectively storing motion image data of an object is also disclosed.

Abstract: A camera [[17]] captures an image by applying for every frame camera control values that are computed for a white line detection, and captures the image by applying for every frame camera control values that are computed for a three-dimensional object detection. The captured frame is transmitted to a stereo ECU [[20]] by adding thereto a frame counter value and the camera control values that were applied when capturing the image, and the stereo ECU [[20]] distinguishes the frame for white line from the frame for three-dimensional object depending on the added frame counter value. Based on the distinguished frame, the stereo ECU [[20]] carries out the white line detection or the three-dimensional object detection, computes the camera control values for the white line or the camera control values for the three-dimensional object, and transmits the computed camera control values to the camera [[17]].

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing with a computer (1) the motion of an athlete (3), of a team or a patient during an activity, said method comprising the steps of defining a number of unevenly time-spaced key positions in said motion, said key positions being of particular interest for analyzing the correct execution of said motion by said athlete (3) or team. A video sequence (11) of said motion is acquired with a camera (2) and still pictures (12) are extracted from said video sequence (11). Templates can trigger the automatic extraction of still pictures (12). For extraction purposes, a metadata recorded with a sensor (5) at the same time as the video sequence (11) can be used. Said still pictures (12) correspond to said previously defined key positions. Thereafter said extracted still pictures (12) are displayed simultaneously on a same display (10).

Abstract: A weapon sight assembly, comprising: a platform for mounting the weapon sight assembly on a weapon; a weapon sight carried by said platform to facilitate orienting the weapon in alignment with a target in a field of view; a video camera carried by the platform for generating and outputting video signals corresponding to the viewed field; a video transmitter for transmitting the video signals; and a controller for controlling the video camera and the video transmitter.

Abstract: Digital cameras are calibrated so that detailed highlights and shadows in scenes being photographed are reproduced in digital images of those scenes by calibrating holographic data obtained from target images at those scenes. In one embodiment the target image is obtained from an actual target having black and white, and optionally gray, target areas; and in another embodiment, the target image is obtained from the scene being photographed. In both embodiments, histographic data is manipulated so that shadow and highlight data spikes are automatically placed in boundary areas by automatically adjusting lens aperture and/or shutter speed prior to taking the desired photograph of the scene. The resulting photograph is adjusted for highlight and shadow details.

Abstract: A measuring instrument 50 comprises: a) means which is fed with a video output signal, and performs RGB processing on the video output signal to generate graphic data; b) means for measuring a video signal level in the graphic data, and generating video signal level data; and c) means for generating display data including the graphic data and the video signal level data. A display device 10 comprises: a) means for receiving the display data from the measuring instrument 50; and b) means for visualizing the display data and displaying an image and a video signal level.

Abstract: A high-speed digital camera system and method for processing high-speed image data is claimed. The method comprises generating images with at least 3×105 pixels at greater than 60 frames-per-second with an image sensor, downloading an image; defining an area of interest in the downloaded image comprising a plurality of adjacent pixels in which an event of interest is expected to occur, defining at least one threshold level for all pixels in the plurality; uploading the defined threshold level to a processor, retrieving pixel data in real time from the image sensor, and comparing the pixel data to the defined threshold levels. A trigger is set when the threshold levels are exceeded and the camera records the event of interest and stores it in camera memory for outputting to a remote computer.

Abstract: A webcam comprises: a main body, a wire control device, a control connecting line, and a connecting device. The main body comprises a digital image processing device to produce a digital image. The control connecting line is used to connect the wire control device and the main body. The wire control device has at least one operation button; the operation button could be a shooting button, a network visual controlling button, or an image adjusting button. The wire control device is used to let the user operate the button direction and control the digital image processing with the computer.

Abstract: An image capture device according to the present invention includes: an image capture unit that captures an image; a focus control unit that controls a to-be-focused position of the capture unit; a display unit that displays the image; an area specifying unit that specifies a specific area within the image, the specific area including the to-be-focused position configured by the focus control unit; and a display control unit that controls the display unit to allow the specific area to be displayed relatively brighter than the other area within the image.

Abstract: A method comprises determining whether a digital imaging device is in a stable state or an unstable state and causing an event to be performed upon the digital imaging device transitioning from the unstable state to the stable state. The method also comprises precluding the event from being performed while the digital imaging device is in the unstable state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a dome camera assembly that is able to ensure repeatability. The dome camera assembly includes a nonvolatile storage mechanism including a stored video image and a corresponding stored camera position. The assembly may further include an image capturing device for capturing a current video image after the camera moves to the stored camera position. An image processing component compares the current video image with the stored video image and determines an offset amount between the current video image and the stored video image. An adjustment mechanism adjusts a current camera position in accordance with the determined offset amount to facilitate repeatability.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus creates a multiple exposure image from two or more frames of pixels. The apparatus includes a first memory to store pixels of a first frame and a comparing unit. The comparing unit, for pixels of a second frame, compares at least one parameter with a first threshold to determine if a first condition is true, selects pixels for which the first condition is true, and stores the selected pixels in the first memory. The selected pixels are stored subsequent to the storing of the first frame by replacing corresponding pixels of the first frame with the selected pixels. In one embodiment, the comparing unit compares pixels of a third frame and stores the selected pixels of the third frame in the memory subsequent to the storing of the selected pixels of the second frame.

Abstract: An image acquisition unit acquires multiple image data sets of pixels in array, having subject distortion due to focal plane shutter effects, corresponding to images taken at continuous exposure timings; a coefficient storage unit stores coefficients, determined by which number-in-order of multiple images that the image data set corresponds to, and by each pixel position in the image; a multiplying unit multiplies a pixel value of a predetermined pixel in the image data sets, by the coefficient stored in the coefficient storage means; and an adding unit adds each pixel value of a predetermined number of the image data sets. The coefficients include a coefficient wherein, at the earliest image data set, pixels exposed earlier are weighted less and pixels exposed later are weighted more, and a coefficient wherein, at the latest image data set, pixels exposed earlier are weighted more and pixels exposed later are weighted less.

Abstract: A circuit and method for reducing kTC noise in CMOS imagers while minimizing power dissipation is disclosed. Correlated double sampling (CDS) is performed within each pixel such that the reset voltage and the integration voltage are sampled and stored within the pixel until the voltages are forwarded to a differential amplifier for subtraction.

Abstract: Image capture methods and systems. First image data with an environmental light source is captured, and second image data with a pre-flash light source of a strobe is captured. During image capture, each pixel therein is respectively performed with a white balance adjustment according to the first and the second image data.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a color component acquiring unit that acquires picked-up-image color-component signals representing color components of a picked-up image, a face detecting unit that detects a face, a skin-color-region color-component acquiring unit that, when the picked-up image includes a face, acquires skin-color-region color-component signals based on a face detection result, a skin-color-eliminated-component-signal-information creating unit that creates skin-color-eliminated component-signal information obtained by eliminating the skin-color-region color-component signals, obtained by the skin-color-region color-component acquiring unit, from the picked-up-image color-component signals obtained by the color component acquiring unit, a white-balance-gain setting unit that sets a white balance gain by using the skin-color-eliminated component-signal information, and a white balance control unit that performs white balance adjustment of the color components of the picked-up image by using

Abstract: A method of generating a high dynamic range image corresponding to a specific scene. The method includes shooting a specific scene to generate a base image; selecting a bright area and a dark area from the base image; determining base luminance according to the base image; shooting the specific scene to generate at least a first image, wherein average luminance of a part of the first image corresponding to the bright area of the base image is less than or equal to the base luminance; shooting the specific scene to generate at least a second image, wherein average luminance of a part of the second image corresponding to the dark area of the base image is greater than or equal to the base luminance; and combining at least the first image and the second image into a high dynamic range image corresponding to the specific scene.

Abstract: A moving image recording/playback device records a moving image of a subject. In the case of recording, the moving image recording/playback device sequentially outputs a plurality of image frames that constitute the moving image at a predetermined frame rate and, of the plurality of image frames, wholly records image frames at intervals of a predetermined number of frames and partly records each of the other image frames, onto at least one recording medium. In the case of playback, when reading a partly recorded image frame, the moving image recording/playback device generates a display frame from the partly recorded image frame and a wholly recorded image frame.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image taking apparatus, comprising: a solid-state image sensor; and a taking lens including a lens barrel that houses a lens disposed in front of the solid-state image sensor, wherein a shielding member that blocks an electromagnetic wave radiated from the front surface of the solid-state image sensor is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel, and a metallic member electrically floating in the lens barrel is grounded.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, each having a photoelectric converter; a signal conversion circuit converting a pixel signal from the pixel array into an output signal; and a clamp correction circuit correcting a clamp level included in a predetermined signal dealt with by the signal conversion circuit. The clamp correction circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter performing analog-to-digital conversion of the predetermined signal and generating and outputting N+M bits of digital data at the time of analog-to-digital conversion, N+M bits being obtained by adding M bits for correction to N bits assigned to the predetermined signal; a correction-value generating unit determining a correction value based on the N+M bits of digital data and a target value; and a computing unit performing a correction computation using the N+M bits of digital data and the correction value to generate N bits of clamp-corrected data.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of pixels used in capturing images. First dark floor values are captured at a first time from substantially all of the pixels in the array. Contemporary dark floor values are captured at a second time from substantially all of the pixels in the array, where the second time is subsequent to the first time. The first and contemporary dark floor values are then used to compute adjusted dark floor values. The adjusted dark floor values are used when processing one or more captured images.

Abstract: The invention discloses an image processing apparatus and method. The method of the invention first splits the image into a green color plane, a red color plane and a blue color plane. Afterward, each one of the green color plane, the red color plane and the blue color plane is sequentially masked by a working window, such that each of the pixels on the one color plane is sequentially located at the center of the working window and referred to as a central pixel. Then, the pixels other than the central pixel in the working window are classified into edge pixels and non-edge pixels. Finally, a filtered central pixel is calculated according to a formula, and the central pixel is replaced with the filtered central pixel, whereby the noises of the image remained in the CFA domain are suppressed.

Abstract: An image defect correction apparatus capable of satisfactorily correcting a white vertical line caused by point defects on the same vertical CCD. A first correction value is determined from a difference between an average value of luminance signals obtained by a vertical CCD including one or more point defects and an average value of luminance signals obtained by the vertical CCDs when light-receiving elements face a predetermined ineffective signal region. It is determined to which of regions divided by Y addresses of point defects on the same vertical CCD each of Y-directional positions of luminance signals outputted from a horizontal CCD is positioned. The first correction value is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient corresponding to the determined region to calculate a second correction value with which the luminance signals from the horizontal CCD are corrected.

Abstract: To reliably obtain a captured image expected by a user, such as an image precisely showing the shades of a blue sky or a flower, or an image captured under flat illumination and having high contrast, an apparatus comprises an aperture, shutter, CCD, and an AGC, and applies gamma correction to an image signal using gamma correction values. Maximum reflectance, being an index of the amount of incident light according to the maximum output from the CCD, is increased or decreased in multiple levels depending on the subject being photographed, and the exposure amount is accordingly adjusted, thereby changing a dynamic range. A microcomputer revises the gamma correction values in response to changes in maximum reflectance so as to substantially maintain a relationship between an incident light reference amount being a reference for appropriate exposure and the corresponding gamma corrected output value.

Abstract: For analog to digital conversion with correlated double sampling in an image sensor, a pixel signal from a given pixel is sampled to generate a respective sampled signal N-times, with N>1 within a horizontal scan time period. A ramp signal is generated with a respective ramping portion for each respective sampled signal. Each respective sampled signal is compared with a respective ramping portion to generate a respective comparison signal that determines a respective digital code. The N respective digital codes are summed to generate a final digital code with reduced random noise.

Abstract: A solid-state image capturing device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of light receiving sections, arranged in a matrix in an image capturing region, for photoelectrically converting received light into signal electrical charges; signal readout sections for reading out the signal electrical charges from the light receiving sections; vertical transfer sections driven by n-phase drive (n?2, k is an integer greater than or equal to 2) in order to transfer the signal electrical charges, which have been read out from the light receiving sections in a column direction, in a vertical direction, wherein first-layer electrodes and second-layer electrodes are arranged in an alternating manner, and n electrodes make up one set of electrodes; a horizontal transfer section for transferring the signal electrical charges, which have been transferred from the vertical transfer sections, in a horizontal direction, wherein the vertical transfer sections include first vertical transfer sections for trans

Abstract: A camera equipped mobile communication terminal is used in an image recording mode during which a camera view is displayed. A guiding pattern is displayed in a viewfinder mode such that it facilitates for a user to adjust the camera view. Detection is made that the camera view is in a static state and recording of an image of the camera view is performed. Extraction of a sub-image including an array of picture elements from the recorded image, at a position within the recorded image that corresponds with the guiding pattern being displayed, is then performed and an optical character recognition process is made on the extracted sub-image. This OCR process yields a sequence of symbols that are displayed.

Abstract: To provide an imaging apparatus employing a fixed focal length nonadjustable lens, characterized in that a lens unit is configured to be mounted in one-touch on a module unit affixed by reflow soldering or the like to a base plate. An imaging apparatus configured so that, when the lens unit is mounted in one-touch on the module unit, the conical outer circumferential surface of a tip-end part of a lens press-fitting part is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the conical concave part of the holder to regulate the coaxiality of the installed lens, and a flange face of the lens is directly received and supported by the holder to regulate the parallelity with the imaging element and, in addition, when the lens unit is mounted in one-touch on the module unit, the barrel which is integrally formed with the lens press-fitting part is snap-locked onto the upper end part of the holder to ensure the fixing of the barrel.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus includes an image sensor for obtaining a picture image from an optical image that is projected to the image sensor through an optical system, an image moving portion for moving the optical image on the image sensor, a motion detecting portion for detecting a movement on the picture image of a moving subject that appears in the optical image, and a control portion for controlling, during an exposure period after a predetermined operation, the image moving portion in the direction of canceling the movement of the moving subject on the image sensor due to a movement of the moving subject in the real space, based on a movement of the moving subject detected in advance. The control portion sets length of the exposure period based on the movement of the moving subject detected in advance.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to execute processing to capture an image; a GPS (Global Positioning System) device configured to execute position calculation processing based on data received from a satellite; a power-supply control unit configured to control power supply to the GPS device; an apparatus control unit configured to monitor a state of photographing by a user to calculate a frequency of use of the imaging unit per unit time, and to cause the power-supply control unit to intermittently supply power to the GPS device when the calculated use frequency is lower than a predetermined threshold; and a data-recording control unit configured to generate photographed data attribute information in which positional information acquired in the GPS device is set as attribute information of an acquired image in the imaging unit, and to execute processing to store the photographed data attribute information in a storing unit.

Abstract: One or more streams of image frames are filtered and restored using filtering and restoration patterns, respectively.

Abstract: A method for motion adaptive video deinterlacing is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) in a first plurality among a plurality of modes, generating a frame by deinterlacing a current field using a plurality of memory bandwidth configurations and (B) in a second plurality among the modes, generating the frame by deinterlacing the current field using a plurality of linestore configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a picture cropping function enables users to crop pictures in a convenient and direct manner using discrete navigation keys of a user input device. According to an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first processor operative to provide at least one of an audio and video output during a first mode. A second processor is operative to provide a picture cropping function during a second mode by enabling a user to crop a picture using discrete navigation keys of a user input device of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for restraining erroneous image colors are provided for correcting pixel values of three sequential image fields of a video data while de-interlacing the video data. The method is utilized to correct the video data by detecting whether penetrations from luminance signals into chrominance signals or penetrations from chrominance signals into luminance signals occur in the video data. In embodiments of the present invention, the pixel chrominance signals of image fields with the same polarity are utilized to correct the pixel chrominance signals of another image field. Pattern matching and edge detection are utilized to determine whether penetrations from chrominance signals into luminance signals occur.

Abstract: A field balancing device for balancing the lightness/color of top fields and bottom fields of an interlaced signal includes: a detection circuit for detecting a lightness/color difference between at least one portion of at least one top field of the interlaced signal and at least one portion of at least one bottom field of the interlaced signal to generate a detection result; and a processing circuit, coupled to the detection circuit, for selectively processing at least one field of the interlaced signal according to the detection result to balance the lightness/color of top fields and bottom fields of the interlaced signal.

Abstract: A method for reduced memory and bandwidth motion adaptive video deinterlacing is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a frame by deinterlacing a current field in a first of a plurality of modes, (B) generating the frame by deinterlacing using both of the current field and an opposite-parity field in a second of the modes and (C) generating the frame be deinterlacing using all of the current field, the opposite-parity field and another field in a third of the modes, wherein the method uses at least two of the modes.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, and graphics input. The chip includes a single polyphase filter that preferably provides both anti-flutter filtering and scaling of graphics. Anti-flutter filtering may help reduce display flicker due to the interlaced nature of television displays. The scaling of graphics may be used to convert the normally square pixel aspect ratio of graphics to the normally rectangular pixel aspect ratio of video.

Abstract: A device for detecting synchronization pulses in a video signal is disclosed. The device includes a transistor. The base-emitter voltage of the transistor is maintained below a threshold level in response to receiving active video information. The base-emitter voltage is increased above the threshold level in response to receiving synchronization information, whereby the transistor is turned on to generate an asserted synchronization signal. Accordingly, in response to active video information being received and the transistor being off, the magnitude of the synchronization signal is set to a first level and in response to synchronization information being received, and the transistor being on, the magnitude is set to a second level. The synchronization signal generated by the transistor is processed to provide both horizontal and vertical synchronization signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multiple screens and a method of dynamically configuring multiple screens are provided. The apparatus includes a digital signal processing module receiving at least one of video information, audio information, and data information and restoring a plurality of services based on the at least one of the video information, the audio information and the data information; a service processing module producing a display screen and a plurality of logical screens for displaying the restored services; and an output module mapping the plurality of logical screens provided by the service processing module to different locations on the display screen, wherein each of the logical screens includes an instance providing graphics, the instance includes a plurality of frames on which an application is executed, and each of the frames has arrangement attribute information indicating an arrangement order.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing multiple screens are provided. The apparatus includes a digital signal processing module which confirms whether a focus request regarding a first region on a screen has been issued, and an operational module which operates the application on the screen based on the confirmed result, wherein the first region displays an application included in received data information.