Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, when a pan/tilt head is located at a predetermined position, a photographed image acquired by an imaging unit is stored as a registered image. A photographed image, which is newly acquired by the imaging unit, is compared with the registered image when the pan/tilt head is not driven from the predetermined position after the registered image is stored. The pan/tilt head is driven to an initial position if, as a result of comparison between the photographed image and the registered image, it is determined that a degree of matching between the photographed image and the registered image satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An image stabilizing apparatus includes a motion vector calculating part that calculates a motion vector between a plurality of images including a displacement caused by a motion of an image-pickup apparatus, a shake-correction parameter calculating part that receives the motion vector as input to calculate a shake correction amount, and an image transforming part that performs geometric transformation of the image in accordance with the shake correction amount. The shake-correction parameter calculating part performs variation amount calculation, variation amount correction and correction amount calculation based on the motion information between the plurality of images. The image stabilizing apparatus preserves a motion in video from an intended camera work and allows image stabilization for an unintended shake.

Abstract: An optical wavefront control pattern generating apparatus (1) relating to the present invention includes: a target image detector unit (60) configured to detect spatial information of the object (B) as a target image; a reconstructed image detector unit (40) configured to detect the reconstructed image displayed on the reconstructed image display unit (30); and an optimizer unit (50) configured to evaluate, on the basis of the target image detected by the target image detector unit (40), the reconstructed image detected by the reconstructed image detector unit (40), and to apply a modification process to the optical wavefront control pattern in a way that a result of the evaluation satisfies a predetermined condition, so as to generate the optimum optical wavefront control pattern.

Abstract: A multimedia device integration system is provided. One or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media device, satellite receiver, DAB receiver, video device, digital camera, cellular telephone, portable navigation device, or any other device or combinations thereof, is integrated for use with an existing OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system and data from the after-market device can be displayed on the car stereo or video system. Instructions generated at the car stereo or video system are received, processed, converted into a format recognizable by the after-market device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execution. Information from the after-market device is converted into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system, and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display thereon.

Abstract: A video data display system and method for a mobile terminal that enable capturing video data of a predetermined length and displaying the captured video data in multiple windows on a single display screen. The video data may be presented as a slide show. The video data display method includes capturing an object video data of an audiovisual data stream displayed on a screen; dividing the object video data into a predetermined number of pictures; and displaying the pictures in different windows of the screen.

Abstract: An easy-to-carry image pickup device is provided to obtain images with multiple view angles in which a target subject is positioned in an appropriate size. When capturing an image of a person as a target subject, the size and position of the person's face in the image are detected as a specified part, and a zoom magnification ratio for a lens unit and a shift amount of the incident light position for a light-axis shifting unit are automatically controlled based on the detected size and position of the person's face, so that the person's face has a predetermined size and is positioned in a predetermined position in the image.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixels that are provided on a semiconductor substrate, and that include a plurality of photoelectric-conversion units and metal oxide semiconductor transistors that selectively read signals from the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units, an organic-photoelectric-conversion film disposed on the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units, and an organic-color-filter layer disposed on the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units. Only a signal corresponding to a first color is extracted through the organic-photoelectric-conversion film. Signals corresponding to a plurality of colors not including the first color are extracted by absorption spectroscopy using the organic-color-filter layer.

Abstract: A digital camera capable of recording a subject image so that the subject image can be drawn as it is combined with a selected default image and so that the subject image can be drawn separately from the selected default image. The digital camera includes an image processor which creates subject image data based on output of an image sensor and a default image setting unit which stores subject image data in a removable memory together with information for associating background data with the subject image data, whereby the subject image data, rather than the data provided by combining the subject image data and the background data, is stored in the removable memory and the subject image data and the background data are associated with each other.

Abstract: An image processing device of the present invention includes a color-gamut determining part, a color-space determining part, and a color-space conversion part. The color-gamut determining part determines a color gamut as a range of color distribution from input image data. The color-space determining part determines a color space substantially covering the color gamut determined by the color-gamut determining part. The color-space conversion part converts the input image data into such image data that is rendered in the determined color space. The colors of the subject can thus be reproduced accurately from the converted image data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes one or a plurality of optical filters, an image sensor, an imaging signal processing part, a detecting part, and a control part. The one or the plurality of optical filters are selectively arranged in a path of an optical system for obtaining imaging light. The image sensor is provided for converting the imaging light obtained through the optical system into an imaging signal. The imaging signal processing part is provided for subjecting the imaging signal from the image sensor to a color-temperature correction processing. The detecting part is provided for detecting a type of the one or the plurality of optical filters arranged in the optical system. The control part is provided for adjusting a color temperature that is set at the imaging signal processing part to a color temperature defined for each filer detected by the detecting part.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes: a detection unit that detects whether or not a detachable recording medium has a cache function; and a validating unit that validates the cache function when the detection unit detects that the recording medium has the cache function.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a recording-mode switching section for selecting a single-format recording mode in which recording is performed in one of recording formats or a multiple-format recording mode in which recording is simultaneously performed in a plurality of recording formats, and a recording-size setting section for setting a recording size of image data for each of the recording formats. If the multiple-format recording mode is set, and if a recording size is set to one of the recording formats, the recording size set by the recording-size setting section is set to all the recording formats recorded in one-time image capturing.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing efficient signal processing depending on the operational mode. In the finder mode, a CCD interface 21a decimates horizontal components of image data supplied from an image generating unit 10 to one-third and moreover processes the decimated image data with data conversion and resolution conversion to produce Y, Cb and Cr image data which are routed to and written in an image memory 32 over a memory controller 22. In the recording mode, the CCD interface 21a causes the image data from the image generating unit 10 to be written in the image memory 32 via memory controller 22 after decimation and gamma correction etc. The camera DSP 21c reads out the image data via memory controller 22 from the image memory 32 to effect data conversion for writing the resulting data via memory controller 22 in the image memory 32.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus corrects a shot image which is captured by an image capturing apparatus including an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arrayed two-dimensionally and on which a shadow of a foreign substance adhering to an optical element placed in front of the image sensor is captured. This apparatus includes an interpolation unit which performs interpolation processing of interpolating a signal of a pixel corresponding to the shadow of the foreign substance with a signal of a neighboring pixel, a designation unit which inputs an instruction to cause the interpolation unit to perform the interpolation processing, and a control unit which causes the interpolation unit to perform the interpolation processing, and when the interpolation unit has not performed the interpolation processing, causes the interpolation unit to re-execute the interpolation processing upon changing a parameter for the interpolation processing or an algorithm for the interpolation processing.

Abstract: A signal processing method is provided. The method includes: generating an output signal containing a high-precision component at a level not determined by quantization of an input digital signal by subjecting each of pixels constituting the input digital signal to a predetermined filter operation such that a set of predetermined number of pixels including a target pixel and surrounding pixels thereof is obtained, the operation is carried out on the surrounding pixels when a variation from the target pixel is within a predetermined threshold range, and the operation is carried out on the target pixel when a variation from the target pixel is out of the predetermined threshold range; separating the high precision component from the signal output from the edge-preserving smoothing filter; and adding the high precision component separated from the high-precision component separating part to the input digital signal.

Abstract: Defect and maintenance detection for an image capture device (ICD) capable of distinguishing between a defect in the ICD and one on the imaged object. The defect detection system includes, inter alia: a value combiner that combines a brightest image video value for each sensing element of the ICD experiencing the imaged object with a corresponding stored device video value to create a combined value for each image video value; and a defect determinator determines the presence of a defect(s) by comparing the combined values to a defect threshold. The maintenance detection system includes a determinator that determines when maintenance is required based on whether a single image is considered defective or whether a number of consecutive defective images have been created. Device video values are updated sluggishly according to corresponding image video values.

Abstract: A CCD solid-state imaging device is provided and includes: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a two-dimensional array; a plurality of vertical charge transfer paths, each reading a signal charge from the photo diodes, wherein electron multiplication of the signal charge is performed in each of the vertical transfer paths; and a storage section that stores data indicating a multiplication factor of the electron multiplication, the multiplication factor being detected at each place of the vertical transfer paths in which the electron multiplication is performed.

Abstract: An electronic motion picture camera apparatus has more than one imaging sensor arranged around a central axis. Image sensors are exposed individually at a single optical gate by being physically rotated into position. The optical gate is covered during the arrangement's rotation by a coordinated rolling shutter. Image information is transmitted from the rotating arrangement to a stationary receiver. The ability to use multiple and separate sensors allows the usage of higher quality image sensors even when such sensors are not normally conducive to video applications.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel unit which has an array of a plurality of groups each including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, and an adding unit configured to add, of pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels arrayed in the groups, homochromatic pixel signals. The adding unit has, for each group, a common pixel amplifier commonly connected to homochromatic pixels. The adding unit adds the pixel signals of the homochromatic pixels in the gate portion of the common pixel amplifier so that the spatial centers of gravity of the pixels added in the group are arranged at equal pitches in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.

Abstract: A camera module 100a of the present invention includes a lens unit 10a which includes a lens 11 and a lens holder 12 holding the lens 11 therein, and an image sensing unit 20a which includes a solid-state image sensor 24 and a transparent lid section 26 which is arranged so as to face the receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 24, provided with a space S therebetween. The transparent lid section 26 and the lens 11 are independent of each other, and alignment of the lens 11 with respect to the solid-state image sensor 24 is performed by mounting the lens 11 on the transparent lid section 26. Thus, it is possible to provide a solid-state image sensing device having high lens alignment precision with respect to a solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes rows and columns of pixels, each column or each set of a plurality of columns being provided with an analog-to-digital converter. When an operation for holding analog electric signals performed by the analog-to-digital converters is performed simultaneously with an operation for outputting data from memories holding digital signals that are output from the analog-to-digital converters, “streaky noise” artifacts appear on an image obtained by such operations. To avoid this, the operation for holding the analog electric signals and the operation for outputting data from the memories holding the digital signals are set apart from each other by at least one data clock period of a scanning circuit.

Abstract: In a solid-state image sensing device, a second substrate having transparency, including a via is placed on a solid-state image sensor having a pixel region and a logic region formed in a first substrate and in which a passive component electrically connected with the solid-state image sensor through the via is mounted on the second substrate. Thus, highly efficient location of passive components is attained for miniaturization.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pixel readout circuit that compensates for common mode noise during a read out operation. This is accomplished by using a differential readout of the signal and reset value from the desired pixel compared with the reset value from a reference pixel. In this manner common mode noise can be offset and therefore minimized. In one embodiment of the invention, the reference pixel is the nearest neighbor pixel in the same row. In another embodiment, the reference pixel is the nearest neighboring pixel in a different row.

Abstract: A transfer pulse generator circuit for outputting a vertical register transfer pulse includes transfer pulse control means for controlling to set rise and fall timings of the vertical register transfer pulse to desired timings in a predetermined period.

Abstract: An image display unit (1) with a front frame (2) and with a sensor device (6) provided with a sensor (9). The sensor (9) is provided for detecting the luminance and/or the color location of an image that displayed on a display (7) of the image display unit (1). To detect luminance, known image display units have a sensor support that, in a non-operating position, is placed in a recess of a frame of a flat screen in an area that cannot be seen by a viewer. Suitable drives make it possible for the sensor support to swivel out from its non-operating position into a position for detecting the luminance. The production of an image display unit of this type is complex. In addition, the drives are susceptible to malfunction, making continuous and fault-free luminance detection impossible. The disclosed arrangement avoids these drawbacks.

Abstract: An optical system with a tilted window. The novel optical system includes a first optical element for receiving an input signal and generating an output signal; a first window adapted to transmit the output signal, the first window being tilted at an angle relative to an axis normal to an optical axis of the system; and a second window adapted to compensate for the first window. In an illustrative embodiment, the first window is an input window of a camera adapted to detect the output signal and is tilted such that reflections from and within the window do not strike detector elements of the camera. In a preferred embodiment, the second window has similar thickness and optical properties as the first window, and is positioned in the optical path of the input signal, tilted at an angle designed to compensate for the first window.

Abstract: A camera module 100a of the present invention includes a lens unit 10a which includes a lens 11 and a lens holder 12 holding the lens 11 therein, and an image sensing unit 20a which includes a solid-state image sensor 24 and a transparent lid section 26 which is arranged so as to face the receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 24, provided with a space S therebetween. The transparent lid section 26 and the lens 11 are independent of each other, and alignment of the lens 11 with respect to the solid-state image sensor 24 is performed by mounting the lens 11 on the transparent lid section 26. Thus, it is possible to provide a solid-state image sensing device having high lens alignment precision with respect to a solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: A method for detecting a video signal that represents an image sequence and exhibits linewise repeated video data comprises selecting a plurality of line groups each having a first, a second and a third line, which originate from two consecutive fields in the case of a field sequence and from one field in the case of a frame sequence. The method determines for each line group a first line-distance measure for a difference between video contents of the first and second lines and a second line-distance measure for a difference between video contents of the second and third lines. The method then interprets the first and second line-distance measures with regard to the presence of a significant difference between these line-distance measures.

Abstract: Frequency translation, such as frequency up conversion of a video baseband or intermediate frequency to a desired frequency division broadcast channel, is provided utilizing a single sideband or image reject mixer and filtering having relaxed selectivity requirements. According to a preferred embodiment, a first single sideband mixer accepts an input signal at an intermediate frequency and up converts this signal to a high intermediate frequency. The image rejection provided by the single sideband mixer in combination with simple filtering provide sufficient signal quality to achieve desired levels of desired signal isolation, such as on the order of 40 dB. Preferably, a second single sideband mixer accepts the high intermediate frequency signal and down converts this signal to a desired transmission or broadcast frequency.

Abstract: A method of de-interlacing interlaced video information including determining functional equations which estimate trajectories of corresponding pixel locations based on statistical information, updating each functional equation with sampled pixel values from the interlaced video information of corresponding pixel locations, and evaluating the functional equations at a time point of a progressive frame and providing corresponding progressive pixel values. A video de-interlace system including a trajectory estimator and a component estimator. The trajectory estimator provides functional equations estimating trajectories of tracked pixel locations based on statistical information. The component estimator receives the functional equations and the interlaced video information and provides progressive pixel values.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iterative method for determining an interpolated video information value in an image that exhibits a number of image regions arrayed for example in matrix fashion, at least one of which is an image region to be interpolated, and that is disposed temporally between a first image and a second image of an image sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device that comprises a memory circuit with memory cells that use floating gate storage transistors, which are conventionally called non-volatile memory cells. A particular embodiment relates to a teletext circuit. A teletext processing circuit comprising a decoder logic circuit and a memory circuit integrated together in an integrated circuit, the memory circuit comprising memory cells for storing teletext page data, the memory cells comprising floating gate storage transistors to store the teletext page data. The page data from memory is used to control the content of displayed teletext images.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a device detecting portion which performs detection of device portions which are connected to a communication bus; a storing portion which stores kind information which shows kind of all the device portions that can be connected to the communication bus and general-purpose control program which can control all the device portions that can be connected to the communication bus; and a control portion which reads out the general-purpose control program from the storing portion to execute when control of the respective device portions which are provided in a group of devices is performed. The control portion discriminates between kind of the device portions which are connected to the communication bus and kind of the device portions which are not connected to the communication bus utilizing the detection result and the kind information.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus includes a video signal synthesis section for, when positions after and before a border position by a predetermined length are respectively set as first and second positions, taking out a first main area part corresponding to a part before the border position and a first border area part corresponding to a part from the border position to the first position from a first video signal and also a second border area part corresponding to a part from the second position to the border position and a second main area part corresponding to a part after the border position from a second video signal for synthesis, an image processing section for performing an image processing on the synthesized video signal, and a video signal output section for removing the first and second border area parts from the synthesized video signal to obtain an output video signal.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiving system includes a known data detector, and a channel impulse response (CIR) estimator, a CIR calculator, a coefficient calculator, and a multiplier. The known data detector detects positions of known data and field sync data included in a data group. The CIR estimator estimates CIRs of the data included in the data group using the detected positions of the field sync data and the known data. The CIR calculator performs interpolation or extrapolation based on a characteristic of each data region included in the data group. The coefficient calculator calculates equalization coefficients using the estimated CIRs, and the multiplier multiplies the data in the data group with the coefficients.

Abstract: A nonlinearly processed (gamma-corrected) video signal is subjected to three-dimensional signal level correction using three-dimensional correction values and corresponding to a position in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of a pixel on a display screen of an image display unit and the signal level of the pixel data. Thereby, accurate gamma correction is made possible, and horizontal and vertical area information (grid block) can be disposed in an optimum positional relation according to resolution of the screen.

Abstract: A parameter for determining a chrominance correction curve for use in correcting the chrominance component of each pixel is determined from one or more parameters for determining a luminance correction curve for use in correcting luminance applied to the entirety of one frame of motion picture data. The chrominance component of each pixel is corrected using the chrominance correction curve.

Abstract: For de-interlacing a current interlaced field using a prior interlaced field and a subsequent interlaced field, a motion estimation method is performed with a group of motion-vector sets. Each motion-vector set includes at least two motion vectors. According to the two motion vectors and a specified block of the current interlaced field, which contains a missing pixel to be estimated, a pair of candidate blocks are defined in the prior and subsequent interlaced fields, respectively. By comparing a plurality of pairs of candidate blocks with the specified block, the best matching block pair can be found and used for de-interlacing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-processing method and an image-processing device. The device includes a motion estimation module, an intra-field operation module, an inter-field operation module, a weighing value generator and a blending unit. The method includes: receiving a block of an inter-frame-estimated frame and acquiring a motion vector of the block; performing a first verifying operation of the block to obtain a first verified result which indicates an adaptive level of the motion vector to the block; determining whether the block is to be divided into a plurality of sub-blocks according to the first verified result; performing a second verifying operation of the sub-block to determining an adaptive level of the motion vector to the sub-block so as to acquire a weighing value of the sub-block; and performing a de-interlacing operation of the sub-block according to the weighing value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving digital contents through a data broadcasting channel are provided. The method includes analyzing information related to contents which is requested by a user while receiving broadcasting; and selectively receiving the contents through an idle tuner from among a plurality of tuners, according to the analysis result.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiving system includes a tuner, a demodulator, a known data detector, an equalizer, a transmission detector, and a block decoder. The tuner receives a DTV signal having a data frame in which main and mobile service data are multiplexed. The demodulator demodulates the DTV signal, and the known data detector detects known data included in the mobile service data. The equalizer equalizes the demodulated DTV signal using the detected known data, and the transmission parameter detector detects an error correction mode from the equalized DTV signal. Finally, the block decoder decodes the equalized DTV signal for error correction using the detected error correction mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving and reproducing broadcast data by means of wireless communication. When wireless communication is disconnected, by switching to a power saving mode and reproducing a predetermined sound source or image to a user, a sound source or image can be continuously provided to the user, and power can be saved.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for providing help information about manipulating an apparatus. The method includes determining help information to be provided according to a state of button manipulation by a user, determining at least one notifying method for providing the help information referring to behavior pattern information of the user, and outputting the help information to a user manipulator using the at least one notifying method.

Abstract: An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.

Abstract: In display systems employing spatial light modulators, the OFF-state light from OFF-state pixels of the spatial light modulator can be captured and directed back to the pixels of the spatial light modulator so as to recycle the OFF-state light in the display system. Bitplanes derived from the desired image to be produced are calibrated to include the recycled off-state light to properly produce the desired image using the display system.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided, which includes a casing having an opening disposed at the bottom thereof. The casing at least has two shafts, two screens, two stay tubes, and two driving devices disposed therein. Each of the shafts has a screen wound thereon, each screen correspondingly has a stay tube disposed at the bottom thereof, and each driving device drives a shaft. The shafts are disposed inside the casing and a screen of one material is wound on each shaft, thus the match between the projection screen and various projectors is realized by the alternation of the screens to adapt to various projection circumstances and contents, so as to obtain a better optimal projection effect.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for masking traditional grey bars which are produced by displaying wide screen images within a full screen native projector and visa versa. This method allows blocking of light for unused portions of the screen thereby producing higher contrast images. In an exemplary embodiment, a physical shutter is positioned inside the projection system so that the light which would otherwise produce a grey bar area is blocked before it reaches a projection screen. Image data are analyzed to identify grey screen areas which are not being utilized for image display and light which would otherwise produce such grey areas is blocked or shuttered by the projector to eliminate the grey areas.

Abstract: A security document or device (30) is provided which has a substrate (31) including at least one layer (35,37) of polymeric material and an optical component formed by at least one orientating (PPN) layer (34) and at least one liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer (36) in contact with the orientating layer (34). An intermediate prime layer (38) is provided between the optical component and the substrate (31) which improves the adhesion of the optical component to the substrate (31). The prime layer (38) may include a hydroxyl terminated polymer which is cross-linked by a multifunctional isocyanate. A security document with such a prime layer between the optical component and a polymeric surface of the substrate is more robust and able to withstand rough treatment without significantly affecting the optical properties of the optical component.

Abstract: A light diffusion element includes a liquid-crystal diffusion layer that variably diffuses an amount of light depending on an applied voltage, a first electrode that is laid on a plane of the light diffusion layer and made of a first and a second segmented-electrodes, a second electrode that is laid on the other plane of the light diffusion layer, a voltage applying unit that generates and applies two types of voltages, and a voltage changing unit that varies the two types of voltages. One of the voltages is applied between the first segmented-electrodes and the second electrode, and the other between the second segmented-electrodes and the second electrode. Both the segmented-electrodes are included in each pixel.

Abstract: A duct was configured such that an incident side and an outgoing side of each of liquid crystal panels 34r, 34g, and 34b are formed with discharge ports r1 and r2, g1 and g2, and b1 and b2 to discharge the air from fans 41 to 43 through ducts 411 to 431, and at the same time, a PBS 28 for aligning the polarizing direction of the light from a light source lamp is formed with a discharge port p1 to discharge the air from the fan 43 through the duct 432, and an incident side discharge port b1 and an outgoing side discharge port b2 of the liquid crystal panel 34b corresponding to the blue light are formed with the ducts so as to discharge the air from the fans 43 and 41 which are different from each other. As a result, even when an amount of light per unit area of high luminance is increased, the liquid crystal panels and the polarizing plates and the PBS can be effectively cooled by three sets of the fans.