Patents Issued in December 25, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080316335
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing noise pickup in iSoC sensors using an improved Analog Capacitor Memory (ACM) design and optimized timing methods that together prevent direct connection of the electrical grounds between the low-speed signal processing circuit and high-speed signal processing circuit of an imaging System-on-Chip sensor. The ACM includes a two-terminal capacitor and two pairs of terminals. Each pair of terminals is connected via switches to separate circuits. The switches are controlled to isolate one side of the ACM from the other, thereby reducing the noise pickup between the circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Giuseppe Rossi
  • Publication number: 20080316336
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that performs accurate correction processing for a pixel that outputs a non-reproducible high-level signal having a continuity with respect to an adjacent pixel is provided. The image pickup apparatus extracts data corresponding to a pixel of an image pickup element that generates an output value equal to or more than a predetermined value, and determines, within a predetermined area of a captured image, whether a predetermined number or more of pixels that generate an output value having the predetermined level are continuously adjacent to one another in the same direction, irrespective of the color received by the pixel. Then, if it is determined that the predetermined number or more of pixels are continuously adjacent to one another in the same direction, the pixels are indicated as targets and the outputs of the target pixels are corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Oshima
  • Publication number: 20080316337
    Abstract: To generate motion picture image data making full use of the characteristics of a photographed image such as a high resolution and a high rate fetching (high frame rate), an image pickup apparatus comprises a camera unit for photographing a subject at predetermined time intervals and generating image pickup data and an encoding unit for encoding the image pickup data as motion picture image data having an image rate which is based on the predetermined time intervals. An optimum motion picture stream is output by changing the output mode of the encoded motion picture image data output from the encoding unit according to the number of photographing pixels in the camera unit and the image rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keiichi Fukuzawa
  • Publication number: 20080316338
    Abstract: According to this invention, if noise generated by operation of a component such as a rotary drum of a recording/playback apparatus which operates periodically enters a microphone, noise waveforms can be extracted and reduced. Data obtained from microphones (6, 7) are converted into digital data by A/D converters (11, 12) and are supplied to a control microcomputer (5) and adders (15, 16). The control microcomputer (5) has a memory which stores input data for respective mechanical noise generation cycles. The microcomputer (5) calculates the average of inphase data in each cycle, thereby generating only data of noise components and storing the result in memories (13, 14). The adders (15, 16) output data without noise components by subtracting the inphase data stored in the memories (13, 14) from input current data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuya Wakui
  • Publication number: 20080316339
    Abstract: A picture imaging apparatus includes: an imaging means for imaging a subject picture to acquire taken picture data; a storage processing means for performing a storage process of taken picture data acquired by the imaging means; a motion detecting means for detecting motion of the picture imaging apparatus itself; a manipulating means for manipulating a shutter; and a control means for instructing the imaging means to perform a process in accordance with a shutter manipulation at a timing based on a result detected in the motion detecting means during a period during which the shutter is being manipulated by the manipulating means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Sugino, Nozomu Ozaki, Masamichi Asukai, Taiji Ito, Hidehiko Sekizawa, Akane Sano, Hirotaka Sakaguchi, Yoshiteru Kamatani, Yoichiro Sako, Itaru Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20080316340
    Abstract: An image display and recording apparatus displays at least one image which belongs to a category as a heading image which shows that category. The heading images are selected from a plurality of images recorded in memory. The display of the heading images allows the content of each category to be grasped at one glance when selecting the category. The heading images may be used when displaying the categories of the images in various types of displays. Such displays include an index screen, a cartridge list screen, a category list screen, a category index screen, a story list screen, and a story index screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Ezawa
  • Publication number: 20080316341
    Abstract: A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. DeLuca, Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin
  • Publication number: 20080316342
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate combining analog and digital gain for utilization with CMOS sensor imagers. The analog gain can provide coarse gain steps and the digital gain can provide finer gain steps between adjacent coarse analog gain values. Further, since analog gain can suffer from low precision, dispersion, etc., on-chip calibration can be implemented to calibrate the analog and digital gain. For example, a digital amplifier can be calibrated to compensate for differences between actual and nominal analog gains associated with one or more analog amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: ALTASENS, INC.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Rossi
  • Publication number: 20080316343
    Abstract: A method for detecting color temperature and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. According to the present invention, the apparatus for detecting color temperature converts RGB color information, generated by interpolating an image signal sequentially inputted in units of pixel from an image sensor, to a three-dimensional coordinate value of luminance, R-G color difference information, and B-G color difference information, and then renews the added value per color, if included in a filtering zone corresponding to a characteristic curve of the image sensor Then, an average value per color is generated in units of frame, and the compensation rate per color is determined such that the average value per color becomes identical to each other With the present invention, accurate colors can be displayed by detecting the color temperature of the current light source and correcting the distorted color information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MTEKVISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-chul Min, Se-jin Kang
  • Publication number: 20080316344
    Abstract: In an image pickup element module, a heat releasing member disposed to be thermally coupled to an FPC substrate and an image pickup element is formed of a PPS resin material having good thermal conductivity. Further, this image pickup element module is configured so that a phase-changing heat storage which is insert-molded or formed into a sheet shape is disposed to be thermally coupled to the heat releasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
    Inventor: Kunio Yamamiya
  • Publication number: 20080316345
    Abstract: An imaging element and an imaging device of the present invention have photoelectric conversion sections arranged two-dimensionally with respect to the surface of a semiconductor substrate; a color filter layer that is made up of a plurality of color filters for decomposing incident light into different colors and brightness filters for causing light including all color components to pass and where the plurality of color filters and the brightness filters are arranged at positions above the photoelectric conversion sections; vertical charge transfer sections linearly extended so as to transfer signal charges read from the respective photoelectric conversion sections; reading regions for reading signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion sections to the vertical charge transfer sections; and light-shielding films that are provided so as to cover the vertical charge transfer sections and that have opening sections located above the respective photoelectric conversion sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Tatsuo ONODERA
  • Publication number: 20080316346
    Abstract: A color solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel section having sets of a total of four adjacent pixels arrayed 2×2 in horizontal and vertical directions. Each of the sets consists of an first pixel serving as an upper left pixel and having a first spectral characteristic, a second pixel serving as an upper right pixel and having a second spectral characteristic, a third pixel serving as a lower left pixel and having a third spectral characteristic, and a fourth pixel serving as a lower right pixel and having a fourth spectral characteristic. The pixel section is formed by arraying the sets in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the sets form a matrix. The color solid-state image pickup device uses, as a unit of addition, a total of 16 pixels consisting of four adjacent sets arrayed 2×2 in the horizontal and vertical directions. The color solid-state image pickup device adds up and reads out respective pixel signals of the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20080316347
    Abstract: A new adaptive pixel architecture, folded-multiple-capture (FMC), integrates synchronous self-reset and multiple capture schemes and advantageously eliminates the requirement of a high-frame-rate sensor array, which is essential for conventional image sensors with high dynamic range. The FMC comprises a per-pixel analog-front-end (AFE), a fine analog-digital convertor (ADC) stage, and a digital-signal-processor/controller (DSPC) stage. The AFE performs programmable gain control, synchronous self-reset, sample-and-hold, and enables disturbance detection. In the AFE, a comparator compares an integrator output with a threshold voltage and produces a binary sequence accordingly. The ADC utilizes the binary sequence and the folded multiple capture signals to estimate photocurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Abbas El Gamal, Sam Kavusi
  • Publication number: 20080316348
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first camera configured to receive a first image via a first polarized filter, a second camera configured to receive a second image via a second polarized filter, a first projector coupled to the second camera via a communication link, the first projector configured to project the second image onto a first presentation screen via a third polarized filter, the third polarized filter being substantially opposite in polarization from the second polarized filter, and a second projector coupled to the first camera via the communication link, the second projector configured to project the first image onto a second presentation screen via a fourth polarized filter, the fourth polarized filter being substantially opposite in polarization from the first polarized filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Zachariah Hallock
  • Publication number: 20080316349
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display which displays an image based on an image signal. An ambient light measuring unit measures the intensity of ambient light around the display. A brightness distribution measuring unit measures a brightness distribution in a scene when the image signal is obtained. A parameter calculator calculates a correction parameter for correcting a partial contrast of the image based on the ambient light intensity and brightness distribution in the scene. A contrast correction unit corrects a partial contrast of the image by correcting the image signal by using the calculated correction parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Tetsuya TOYODA
  • Publication number: 20080316350
    Abstract: An image acquisition system for use in a motor vehicle, and a method for manufacturing an image acquisition system, are provided. Image acquisition system encompasses an image sensor, an optical module, a housing and a carrier for the image sensor mounted on a circuit board. For the purpose of adjusting the image sensor and optical module, the carrier is movable in multiple axes and, after an optimum adjusted position is reached, is immobilizable therein with immobilization means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Gottwald, Werner Knee, Jens Schick
  • Publication number: 20080316351
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus including an in-focus position detector for detecting an in-focus position of a focusing lens to focus an image of a subject on an image pickup surface, a driving controller for controlling the driving of the focusing lens, a reflective member that opens and closes on a path of a light that is irradiated onto the image pickup surface, and an optical measuring unit measuring a brightness of the subject image that is reflected by the reflective member in a closed state when a preliminary light emission operation is performed with respect to the subject before performing a main exposure operation. In the preliminary light emission, the driving controller drives the focusing lens to a position nearer the subject or a position nearer the image pickup surface, rather than to the in-focus position of the focusing lens detected by the in-focus position detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tanaka, Toshihiro Hamamura
  • Publication number: 20080316352
    Abstract: The invention discloses a focusing apparatus applied in an image recording system. The focusing apparatus of the invention includes an evaluating unit and a control module. The evaluating unit can generate a plurality of focus values in accordance with an image sensed by a sensor. Furthermore, the control module can calculate a weight focus value in accordance with the focus values, and selectively generates a control signal based on the weight focus value and a depth of focus table, so as to control the movement of a lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Sheng-Hung Cheng, Hsin-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20080316353
    Abstract: An image taking apparatus which can perform a focusing operation quickly is described. The image taking apparatus comprises a light splitting unit which splits a light flux from the image-taking lens into a plurality of light fluxes, a view finder optical system for observing an object image formed by the light flux from the image-taking lens, an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts the object image to an electric signal and a focus detection unit for detecting the focusing state of the image-taking lens according to a phase difference detection system. Here, the light splitting unit changes between a first state in which the light flux is directed to the view finder optical system and the focus detection unit and a second state in which the light flux is directed to the image pickup element and the focus detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Suda
  • Publication number: 20080316354
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for creating pictures and more particularly a method for creating an enhanced picture by means of several consecutive exposures. The exposures are combined to create pictures with enhanced properties, especially better color and light content. Sufficient light is obtained by performing a series of first exposures together with one second exposure in rapid succession. The first exposures are combined to provide sufficient luminance and sharpness. The second exposure is made to collect color information. The first exposures are combined with the second exposure to provide an enhanced picture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Johan Nilehn, Mats Wernersson
  • Publication number: 20080316355
    Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, and a plurality of metering areas are assigned to an object scene captured by the image sensor. A CPU evaluates a luminance of the object scene for each metering area, and binarizes each of the plurality of obtained luminance evaluated values. Furthermore, on the basis of the plurality of binarized luminance evaluated values, a width of a high luminance area included in the object scene is calculated while a width of an adjacent area adjacent to the high luminance area out of a low luminance area included in the object scene is calculated. Then, each of the plurality of luminance evaluated values is corrected on the basis of a ratio between the width of the calculated adjacent area and the width of the calculated high luminance area. An exposure amount to the image sensor is adjusted on the basis of the luminance evaluated values thus corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Fukugawa, Kazuhiro Tsujino
  • Publication number: 20080316356
    Abstract: System and methods for the detection of progressive pulldown in a video sequence are provided. The method comprises calculating a difference between temporally adjacent frames in the video sequence, generating a pattern based upon these differences, and comparing the generated pattern against patterns understood for known progressive film modes in order to determine if the video sequence comprises a known progressive film mode. In one embodiment, the pattern may be adjusted to account for uncertainty in assigning values to the pattern, reducing the likelihood of false detections. In another advantage, confidence metrics are built into the method in order to further reduce the incidence of false detections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Zhou, Yeong-Taeg Kim
  • Publication number: 20080316357
    Abstract: A secure display device is designed to display on a screen a first set of information edited by an open operating system. A secure operating system resident in a dedicated circuit edits a second set of information. A filter allocates, independently of the open operating system, a first zone of the screen to the first set of information and a second zone of the screen to the second set of information. The zones and can have a non-zero intersection and any value. A real video memory is used for transferring the two sets of information to the screen under the sole control of the secure operating system so as to produce a secure display of the second set of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Compagnie Industrielle et Financiere D'Ingenierie "Ingenico"
    Inventors: Karim Achari, Ronan Loheac
  • Publication number: 20080316358
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods are disclosed herein to identify a user interacting with a content presentation system, adaptively learn, in a passive manner, a user's pattern of accessing content over time, and globally store the user's identifying and use information. Specifically, disclosed are systems and/or methods for switching from a first signal provided to a second signal, including identifying a user of a first content presentation system, creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of plural signals, where the preferred channel list is created based on the identity of the user and based on channel use information for the user during a recurring first time period, presenting substantially simultaneously to the user a first signal of the select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of the select ones of plural signals in a second frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Edward R. Beadle, John L. DeLay
  • Publication number: 20080316359
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting and interpolating still pixels. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods establish a still pixel level for each still pixel, and using that still pixel level, provide an interpolation procedure for determining the pixel value of a selected pixel at a frame a distance ? from frame F(t?1). Disclosed embodiments are capable of providing motion compensated interpolation results for a wide variety of circumstances, including cases where the endpoints of the motion vector of a selected pixel to be interpolated vary between substantially still and not still, as well as cases where mixtures of temporal and motion compensation interpolations are necessary. Still pixel candidates may be refined in a process where pixels that may be properly handled by standard motion compensation interpolation techniques are eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeong-Taeg Kim, Zhi Zhou
  • Publication number: 20080316360
    Abstract: Disclosed is an information signal processing apparatus. The information signal processing apparatus includes an adjustment unit by which users each adjust an inputted information signal so that an output of the information signal has a predetermined quality, and a storage unit that stores operation information having a final adjustment value of a series of adjustments carried out by the adjustment unit, and history information relating to a sequence of changes to an adjustment value up to the final adjustment value in a storage medium in association with preference information of the user during the series of adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Takeyuki Fujii, Toru Miyake, Toru Nakagawa, Yusuke Kajio
  • Publication number: 20080316361
    Abstract: A picture signal processing device includes an A/D conversion unit configured to convert an input analog picture signal into a digital picture signal; an automatic image correction unit configured to correct the digital picture signal from the A/D conversion unit; a narrowing-down unit configured to narrow down possible formats of the analog picture signal based on horizontal and vertical signal frequencies of the analog picture signal, horizontal and vertical synchronizing signal polarities and vertical line count; and an identification unit configured to identify the format of the input analog picture signal from among a plurality of narrowed-down candidate signal formats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshinori ITO, Tetsuji MORITA, Kosuke YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080316362
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate describing, communicating, utilizing, etc. a frame dependency structure in connection with real time video communication. For example, a protocol can be employed to communicate the dependency structure from a sender to a receiver. Moreover, a mechanism on a receiver side can detect frame(s) that will be rendered with artifacts if displayed due to previous frame loss; this mechanism can leverage receiver side knowledge concerning the dependency structure of the of the frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jingyu Qiu, Timothy M. Moore, Zong Zong Yuan, Regis J. Crinon
  • Publication number: 20080316363
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating noises in a frame is disclosed. A storage device is provided to store a previous frame prior to the frame. Multiple window noise estimators are provided to estimate noise between sub-regions of the frame and corresponding sub-regions of the previous frame for producing a noise estimation index and an adjusted noise estimation index for each sub-region. A comparator selects the minimum one among the adjusted noise estimation indexes and produces a corresponding window index. When the minimum adjusted noise estimation index is smaller than a threshold, a global motion detector outputs the noise index corresponding to the minimum adjusted noise estimation index for use as a noise estimation of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Chih Peng
  • Publication number: 20080316364
    Abstract: Based on maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimates, video denoising techniques for frames of noisy video are provided. With the assumptions that noise is similar to or satisfies Gaussian distribution and an a priori conditional density model measurable by bit rate, a MAP estimate of a denoised current frame can be expressed as a rate distortion optimization problem. A constraint minimization problem based on the rate distortion optimization problem is used to vary a lagrangian parameter to optimize the denoising process. The lagrangian parameter is determined as a function of distortion of the noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Oscar Chi Lim Au, Yan Chen
  • Publication number: 20080316365
    Abstract: An efficient method of motion estimation is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of macroblocks in a reference frame, wherein the plurality of macroblocks are used for motion estimation related to a current frame, and performing the motion estimation for a plurality of macroblocks in the current frame by using the received plurality of macroblocks in the reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-hee CHOI, Yeong-kyeong Seong
  • Publication number: 20080316366
    Abstract: A portable phone has a main LCD and a SW-LCD, provided on a path of light to be transmitted by the main LCD, which electrically switches between (i) an image to be seen in a single image display mode and (ii) an image to be seen in a multiple image display mode. In the multiple image display mode, the display switch makes it possible that (a) the image displayed by the image display is seen from a front direction and (b) an image obtained by superimposing, onto the image displayed by the image display, a switching image formed by the display switch is seen from an oblique direction. The switching image is formed by providing, with at least one of a pair of transparent electrode films for applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer, a patterning having an area larger than 50% of an area of a display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoo Takatani, Koji Yabuta, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20080316367
    Abstract: An audio/video apparatus such as a television apparatus includes two or more auxiliary audio inputs (AUX1, AUX2, and AUX3) for receiving respective audio signals, an audio output, and a switch arrangement for selecting one of a broadcast audio signal and the auxiliary audio input signals. The audio/video apparatus operates in two modes. In the first mode where the audio/video apparatus is turned on, the switch arrangement selects one of the auxiliary audio input signals and a broadcast audio signal in response to a user command, and in the second mode where the audio/video apparatus is turned off, the switch arrangement selects a pre-determined one of the auxiliary audio input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING S.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Alcide Vasella
  • Publication number: 20080316368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for moving a camera that is disposed on a pan/tilt head along a given trajectory especially in a set or studio as well as an associated camera robot. In order to be able to move a camera with repeated accuracy along a given trajectory, an associated trajectory is determined for the spatial positions and orientations of a basic reference system of the pan/tilt head from the given trajectory for the camera, and associated control variables for shafts of a robot that can be moved in Cartesian coordinates are generated from the determined trajectory for the basic reference system of the pan/tilt head and are transmitted to the shafts, thus allowing camera movements to be made that are not possible with previously known systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicants: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH, CINE-TV BROADCAST SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Fritsch, Walter Honegger
  • Publication number: 20080316369
    Abstract: A broadcast module includes a receiver for selecting the signal of a specific channel from the signals of a plurality of channels under control of a controller; a demodulator connected to the output of the receiver; a detector for detecting the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal selected by the receiver; and a comparator for comparing the signal-to-noise ratio detected by the detector with a predetermined level. The broadcast module can reduce the time required to specify a viewable cannel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Yasunobu Tsukio
  • Publication number: 20080316370
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a broadcasting receiver that receives broadcasting signals in terrestrial digital broadcasting and displays terrestrial digital broadcasting on a screen of a personal computer. The broadcasting receiver includes a recording unit that records a transport stream including the broadcasting signals as recorded data, assigns an elapsed time since recording initiation of the recorded data, and then records caption information contained in the transport stream corresponding to the recorded data as caption data; a search unit that searches, from the caption data, the caption information including a text row inputted via a user interface that receives a command from a user, and displays search results on the screen of the personal computer; and a reproduction unit that, when the caption information is alternatively selected from the search results via the user interface, starts reproducing the recorded data from the elapsed time corresponding to the selected caption information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventors: Masaya Tanigawa, Yoshikazu Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20080316371
    Abstract: A remote control apparatus and method of using are disclosed for controlling an electronic appliance such as a television set, radio, computer, or other. The remote control apparatus may include a hand held housing, a wireless transmitter for sending signals to the appliance, and a manually operated rotary controller for causing operation adjusting signals to be generated and supplied to the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Lane T. Hauck
  • Publication number: 20080316372
    Abstract: A video display with a display screen adapted to display video images according to adjustable display parameters, for example brightness, contrast, and/or sharpness, and at least one viewer sensor configured to determine at least one variable viewing characteristic and wherein the display is adapted to adjust the display parameters to adjust the displayed video image quality at least partially as a function of the variable viewing characteristic. A method of adjusting displayed image quality of a video display system, including inducing the video display system to determine at least one characteristic of a current viewing situation and adjusting one or more variable display parameters at least partially as a function of the determined characteristics. The viewing characteristics can include viewing time, viewing distance, and other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Ning Xu, Yeong-Taeg Kim
  • Publication number: 20080316373
    Abstract: A beam modulated by a video signal scans a projected region. A spot size of the beam in the projected region is set to be smaller than a width of one pixel in a direction vertical to a scanning direction. A group of pixels disposed in the scanning direction is scanned by the beam a plurality of times to display one screen. A scanning position of the beam with regard to the group of the pixels is shifted in the direction vertical to the scanning direction for every scanning turn to display one screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicants: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., SANYO Optec Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuoki HISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20080316374
    Abstract: The present invention represents an object with high-quality texture. A texture image display apparatus includes: a panel display device (20) having a plurality of pixels (21); a lens array (30) having a plurality of lenses for controlling outgoing directions of light outputted from the pixels (21); a pixel data generation part (14) for generating pixel data for each pixel; and a panel driving circuit 15 for driving the panel display device (20) on the basis of the pixel data. One lens (31) is provided for a plurality of adjacent pixels (21), and directs light outputted from these adjacent pixels (21) in directions different from one another. For each pixel (21), the pixel data generation part (14) generates pixel data of different image brightness levels depending on outgoing direction of light, for the same image point in displayed content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Takafumi Koike, Kei Utsugi, Michio Oikawa, Masami Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20080316375
    Abstract: A projection design configured for use with a projector having a projector lens is provided. The device includes at least one pi-cell or pi-cell electro-optical modulator in combination with a wire grid polarizer mounted proximate the pi-cell(s). The design may include a cleanup polarizer between the pi-cell(s) and the wire grid polarizer and optionally a protective window between the wire grid projector and projection lens. The device may be oriented at an angle substantially differing from the axis of the projector lens. The resultant device includes spacing for airflow and can offer improved performance, particularly in heating, over designs previously available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
  • Publication number: 20080316376
    Abstract: An LCD projector has LCD panels, each including polarization plates one on the light incidence side and another on the light emitting side of each LCD panel. The LCD panel is provided with a highly transparent auxiliary polarization plate between the LCD panel and the polarization plate on the light emitting side. The LCD panel is further provided with an optically anisotropic transparent substrate for supporting the highly transparent auxiliary polarization plate. The transparent substrate is arranged such that one of its anisotropic optical axes is inclined at an angle not more than 0.5 degrees with respect to the face of the auxiliary polarization plate when the face is parallel to the direction of light propagation. This arrangement ensures longer lives of the polarization plates on the light emitting sides while suppressing color irregularity on a black screen and degradation of picture contrast of the LCD projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro UCHIYAMA, Yoshihiro FURUTA
  • Publication number: 20080316377
    Abstract: A liquid crystal projection apparatus includes an illumination system, at least a light-transforming module and a projection lens. The illumination system provides a light beam having light polarized in a first direction and in a second direction. The light-transforming module and the projection lens are both disposed on a transmission path of the light beam. The light-transforming module includes a transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plurality of first polarizers and at least a second polarizer. The light polarized in a first direction passes through the first polarizers disposed at a side of the transmissive LCD panel, and the light polarized in a second direction is partially blocked by each of the first polarizers. The light polarized in the second direction passes through the second polarizer disposed at another side of the transmissive LCD panel, and the light polarized in the first direction is blocked by the second polarizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chui-Ping Chen, Nien-Hui Hsu, Sze-Ke Wang
  • Publication number: 20080316378
    Abstract: A hybrid multiplexed 3D display and a displaying method thereof. The hybrid multiplexed 3D display includes an image display, a light source and an image splitter. The image display generates a view image. The light source sequentially generates light of multiple colors transmitted through the image display. The image splitter disposed above or below the image display causes image data, which is generated after the light is transmitted through the image display, to emit toward two or more than two view directions. Thus, the image viewed by a user has at least two views to achieve a stereoscopic visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kuo-Chung Huang, Kuen Lee, Chao-Hsu Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080316379
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device comprises a display panel having an array of display pixels for producing a display. The display pixels are arranged in orthogonal rows and columns. The device also comprises an array of parallel lenticular elements positioned over the display panel. The lenticular elements have optical focal axes that are slanted at an angle to the display pixel columns. Display areas of the display pixels have edges that are substantially parallel to the lenticular element axes so that pixels of different views are prevented to be projected to the same niewing zone, thereby preventing crosstalk between views and reducing light intensity variations (due to varying amount of the opaque black mask which is imaged. The light intensity output also varies across each pixel display area in a direction perpendicular to the lenticular element axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Zuidema, Harry Kuijpers, Laurens Doornhein
  • Publication number: 20080316380
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device comprises: a display panel having an array of display pixels for producing a display, the pixels being arranged in rows and columns; and at least two arrays of light output directing elements, the arrays being arranged in series over the display panel at different depths, each array being controllable to direct the light output from respective groups of pixels in different directions to enable a stereoscopic image to be perceived. The device is operable to selectively control any one of the arrays to provide the light output directing function, thereby providing respective first and second three dimensional display modes having different amounts of perceived depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Willem Lubertus Ijzerman, Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen
  • Publication number: 20080316381
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a light-adjusting film including a light-adjusting film consisted of an anti-dirty layer, a curing layer, two polymer complex layers, a light-adjusting liquid crystal layer, and an attaching layer, wherein the anti-dirty layer provides an dirty-proof function, the curing layer is assembled under the anti-dirty layer, the first polymer complex layer is assembled under the curing layer, the light-adjusting liquid crystal layer is assembled under the first polymer complex layer and connected with a power source, the second polymer complex layer is assembled under the light-adjusting liquid crystal layer, and the attaching layer is assembled under the second polymer complex layer for attaching to a surface of an object. According to the structure above, the present invention is advantageous of easy installation, maintaining and renovation, UV-resisting, heat insulation, great light perviousness, uneasily being damaged and power saving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Yung-Lung Wu
  • Publication number: 20080316382
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device including: a display panel on which a plurality of driver chips are mounted by using a COG configuration; a signal substrate on which a timing controller for generating a differential signal inputted into each of the driver chips is formed; and a connecting substrate which connects the plurality of driver chips with the timing controller, wherein the connecting substrate includes a first connecting substrate on which a first line for inputting the differential signal into a driver chip excluding a driver chip located at a terminating area is formed and a second connecting substrate on which a second line for inputting the differential signal into the driver chip located at the terminating area, and wherein a termination resistor connects the second line for transmitting the differential signal which is formed on the second connecting substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Setsuko Sato
  • Publication number: 20080316383
    Abstract: A method for detecting a storage voltage, a display apparatus using the storage voltage and a method for driving the display apparatus. The method for detecting the storage voltage includes applying a test voltage to a storage line in a display panel having an active layer disposed between the storage line and a data line while varying the test voltage, the active layer being in an active state or an inactive state according to the test voltage, and detecting the storage voltage corresponding to the test voltage in an inactive state of the active layer. Thus, the display panel is driven by using the detected storage voltage, so that an aperture ratio may be increased and current consumption may be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shin Tack KANG, Bong Jun LEE, Sang Yong NO, Kwan Ho KIM, Jong Hwan LEE, Sun Hyung KIM
  • Publication number: 20080316384
    Abstract: A display substrate includes a first metal pattern formed on a substrate and includes a data line to which a pixel voltage is applied, an insulating layer formed on the substrate on which the first metal pattern is formed, an active pattern formed on the insulating layer, a second metal pattern formed on the insulating layer and including a gate line and a storage line, the gate line crossing the data line, a scanning signal applied to the gate line, a protective layer formed on the substrate on which the second metal pattern is formed, and a pixel electrode formed on the protective layer. A method for manufacturing the display substrate, and a display apparatus including the display substrate are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Bong-Jun LEE, Myung-Koo HUR, Jong-Oh KIM, Dong-Wuuk SEO, Sung-Man KIM