Abstract: Heretofore, an operator has been required to judge the type of image on a display and select any of various effect processings manually, thus automation has been impossible. By totaling luminance values of pixels into a luminance distribution which pixels have been selected by a thinning-out processing for image data (step S102) it becomes possible to count the number of colors used (step S104). As a result, if the number of colors used in image data is large, it can be judged that the image data is of a natural picture. Besides, a contrast enlarging process (step S110), a saturation highlighting process (step S112) and an edge highlighting process (S114), which are suitable for application to a natural picture on the basis of the results of such judgment, can be selected automatically while changing the respective highlighting degrees.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment may be generally described as a method of digitally processing data representing at least part of an image, comprising applying a first color adjustment transform to data relating to a first range of spatial frequency of content of the image, the first transform adapted to constrain noise amplification, and applying a second color adjustment transform to data relating to a second range of spatial frequency of content of the image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to merge and/or remove (e.g., edges, regions, vertices, etc.) in a planar map of a raster image are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes ranking a plurality of regions of a raster image in a scoring matrix based on color similarities between each of the plurality of regions; and automatically merging certain ones of the plurality of regions connected through at least one of an edge and a vertex based on the scoring matrix. In addition, the method may include merging other regions of the plurality of regions without considering the scoring matrix when the other regions are smaller than a threshold number of pixels and automatically removing artifacts and noise from the raster image based on the threshold number of pixels.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a device for luminance correction so as to adjust the luminance of a digital image. The present invention is characterized in that luminance correction is performed according to R, G and B values of a pixel in the digital image such that the contrast between each color of the digital image is enhanced while luminance is being adjusted.

Abstract: An image signal generated by a CCD image sensor is processed by the block-generating section 28 provided in an image-signal processing section 25. A class tap and a prediction tap are thereby extracted. The class tap is output to an ADRC process section 29, and the prediction tap is output to an adaptation process section 31. The ADRC process section 29 performs an ADRC process on the input image signal, generating characteristic data. A classification process section 30 generates a class code corresponding to the characteristic data thus generated and supplies the same to an adaptation process section 31. The adaptation process section 31 reads, from a coefficient memory 32, the set of prediction coefficients which corresponds to the class code. The set of prediction coefficients and the prediction tap are applied, thereby generating all color signals, i.e., R, G and B signals, at the positions of the pixels which are to be processed.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for local value adjustment are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a hue, saturation, and brightness value for each pixel of an image, determining whether the hue and saturation for each pixel fall within a first predetermined set of hue and saturation combinations, determining whether the brightness value for each pixel of the image falls within a predetermined set of brightness values, and selectively applying a gain to the saturation of each pixel based upon the determination of whether the hue and saturation value of the pixel falls within the first predetermined set of hue and saturation combinations and the determination of whether the brightness value of the pixel falls within the predetermined set of brightness values.

Abstract: The contrast of a digital image is enhanced by forming a histogram of the luma values of an active area of the image, computing “initial” bin indices that partition the histogram into bins of substantially equal population, mapping the “initial” bin indices into “final” bin indices that are more uniformly spaced than the “initial” bin indices, and adjusting the luma values of all the pixels in accordance with the “final” bin indices.

Abstract: An image segmentation method including: selecting a region of interest including an object whose image is to be segmented; detecting the edge of the object; repeatedly performing, until a specified precision is obtained, a process in which by using a layered mesh structure based on the detected edge, a mesh boundary of the object is detected, a mesh size is reduced by one layer, and then by using areas adjacent to the detected mesh boundary, correcting the mesh boundary; and generating a mask to fill a inside area of the correcting mesh boundary and masking the object.

Abstract: A plurality of signal processing functions are achieved with the same arithmetic processing circuit by controlling wiring arrangements or signal modulation in accordance with a predetermined arrangement control signal that is output based on circuit arrangement information read from a circuit arrangement information storage unit. Hierarchical parallel processing is realized with small-scale circuit configuration. Further, detection of a predetermined feature and integration of the detection results can be efficiently performed.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing alphabetic characters that contain diacritics is described. An image analysis separates the character into its constituent components. The one or more diacritic components are then distinguished and isolated from the base portion of the character. Optical recognition is performed separately on the base portion. The diacritic is recognized through a special image analysis and pattern recognition algorithms. The image analysis extracts geometric information from the one or more diacritic components. The extracted information is used as input for the pattern recognition algorithms. The output is a code that corresponds to a particular diacritic. The recognized base portion and diacritic are combined and a check is performed for acceptable combinations in a chosen language. By separately recognizing the base portion and diacritic, the character sets used by the recognizer can be narrowed, resulting in greater recognition.

Abstract: Digital ink strokes may be fragmented to form a training data set. A neighborhood graph may be formed as a plurality of connected nodes. Relevant features of the training data may be determined in each fragment such as local site features, interaction features, and/or part-label interaction features. Using a conditional random field which may include a hidden random field modeling parameters may be developed to provide a training model to determine a posterior probability of the labels given observed data. In this manner, the training model may be used to predict a label for an observed ink stroke. The modeling parameters may be learned from only a portion of the set of ink strokes in an unsupervised way. For example, many compound objects may include compositional parts. In some cases, appropriate compositional parts may be discovered or inferred during training of the model based on the training data.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating image retouching is provided. The invention includes an image retoucher having a boundary detector and an image extender. The invention provides for the image retoucher to extend care pixels of at least one of a foreground and a background near a detected spurious boundary by altering the binary mask used for compression of the foreground and/or the background.

Abstract: When first and second images are input, a partial image feature calculating unit calculates feature values of partial images of the two images. A maximum matching score position searching unit searches for a position of the second image that attains to the highest matching score with each of the partial images of the first image. A movement-vector-based similarity score calculating unit calculates similarity between the first and second images, using information related to that partial image whose movement vector has direction and length within a prescribed range, which movement vector representing positional relation between a reference position for measuring, for each of the partial images, the position of the partial image in the first image and the position of the maximum matching score corresponding to the partial image searched out by the maximum matching score position searching unit. The images as the object of collation may belong to the same category classified based on the feature values.

Abstract: A method for classifying features in a digital medical image includes providing a plurality of feature points in an N-dimensional space, wherein each feature point is a member of one of two sets, determining a classifying plane that separates feature points in a first of the two sets from feature points in a second of the two sets, transforming the classifying plane wherein a normal vector to said transformed classifying plane has positive coefficients and a feature domain for one or more feature points of one set is a unit hypercube in a transformed space having n axes, obtaining an upper bound along each of the n-axes of the unit hypercube, inversely transforming said upper bound to obtain a new rule containing one or more feature points of said one set, and removing the feature points contained by said new rule from said one set.

Abstract: The invention describes a wavelet compression method for color converted image planes (Y, Cb and Cr), wherein a relatively low (e.g. zero) degree of compression is performed in areas of an original color image having relatively higher importance, a relatively higher degree of compression in those areas indicated to be of lower importance. It performs a hierarchical encoding of a reduced wavelet image by discarding wavelet coefficients which satisfy the two criteria of firstly corresponding to image areas of relatively lower importance and secondly being below a certain wavelet coefficient threshold. The wavelet coefficient threshold is determined from a calculation histogram to remove a percentage of the image and can be specified as an input parameter by a user.

Abstract: An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for compression of four dimensional data. In an embodiment, a system for compression of four dimensional data includes: a compression module configured to compress four dimensional data, wherein the data includes a first three dimensional volume and a second three dimensional volume, and wherein the compression module compresses the data by compressing the first volume and compressing a difference between the first volume and the second volume. In an embodiment, the data may further include a third three dimensional volume and the compression module may further compress the data by compressing a difference between the second volume and the third volume, for example. The system for compression of four dimensional data may also include, an input module(s), a decompression module and an output module(s), for example.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital multiple-level encoded image is presented. The method comprises obtaining a digital authentication image, obtaining a first encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters, and constructing a first encoded image. The first encoded image is constructed using a first encoding methodology, the digital authentication image and the first encoding parameter set. The method further comprises obtaining a second encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters and constructing a second encoded image using a second encoding methodology, the first encoded image and the second encoding parameter set. The second encoded image may be decoded to reveal the first encoded image using a decoder having characteristics corresponding to at least a portion of the encoding parameters of the second encoding parameter set.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus divides data related to an image into bit-planes and performs a coding process on data of each of the bit-planes. The image processing apparatus includes a multi-layer generation part that divides codes obtained by the coding process into a plurality of layers sequentially from the codes corresponding to higher bit-planes such that the amount of the codes of each of the layers is equal to or less than a predetermined value. A code generation part generates coded data in units of the codes divided into the layers by the multi-layer generation part.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for incremental approximate nearest neighbor searching. An approximate nearest neighbor is incrementally retrieved from a data set having a plurality of objects and cells of objects in a hierarchical organization based on a query object. The present invention maintains an object priority queue to organize the objects based on a distance to the query object and a cell priority queue to organize the cells of objects based on a distance to the query object. The next approximate nearest neighbor is incrementally retrieved based on a state of one or more of the object priority queue and the cell priority queue.

Abstract: A method of transmitting selected regions of interest of digital video data at selected resolutions, including: capturing digital video; compressing the digital video into a sequence of individual high resolution JPEG 2000 frames and simultaneously extracting from the compressed high resolution JPEG 2000 frames a lower resolution; storing the individual high resolution JPEG 2000 frames in a storage device; creating a video sequence of the lower resolution representation; transmitting the video sequence of the lower resolution representation to a user; creating one or more video sequences of selected regions of interest at selected resolutions greater than the resolution of the video sequence of the lower resolution representation; transmitting one or more video sequences of selected regions of interest at selected resolutions; and repeating the prior two steps at incrementally increased resolutions until a desired resolution of the selected region of interest is reached according to a viewing objective.

Abstract: A technique is described for enhancing three dimensional or volumetric image data, such as thick slice or slab data, or data for slices stacked in a third dimension orthogonal to an imaging plane. The technique processes the image data by reference to data parameters both in two dimensions and in three dimensions. The processing permits identification of structural pixels and their differentiation from non-structural pixels. The structural pixels may be identified by reference to gradients determined in three dimensions, but with directions determined by reference to only two dimensions. The structural and non-structural pixels may then be processed differently to provide an enhanced image.

Abstract: A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a movement vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, an activity detector, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of assessing image quality are described. In one scheme for assessing image quality, a target object region is detected in an input image. An image quality feature vector representing the target object region in an image quality feature space is generated. The image quality feature vector is mapped to a measure of image quality. In one scheme for generating an image quality assessment engine, target object regions are detected in multiple input images. Image quality feature vectors representing the target object regions in an image quality feature space are generated. The image quality feature vectors are correlated with respective measures of image quality assigned to the input images. A mapping between image quality feature vectors and assigned measures of image quality is computed.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for efficient rotation of an image. The image is preferably defined by an image matrix in which each datum of the image corresponds to a particular image row and a particular image column of the image matrix. A preferred method includes mapping each of the datum into a memory matrix organized into a plurality of memory rows and a plurality of memory columns. The mapping preferably includes mapping into one of the memory rows: (a) at least two data, both of which correspond to one of the image rows, and (b) at least two image vector portions, a first one of the image vector portions including at least two data each corresponding to one of the image columns, and a second one of the image vector portions including at least two other data each corresponding to another of the image columns.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for blending image data such that noise, texture and/or high-frequency data may be better preserved in a resulting blended image. In general, in one implementation, the techniques include blending a first image and a second image to form a blended image including a blended image component formed by a non-affine interpolation of components from the first and second images. The techniques also include blending a first image component corresponding to a first image region with a second image component corresponding to a second image region to produce a first blended component, blending a third image component corresponding to the first image region with a fourth image component corresponding to the second image region using blend coefficients, which sum to a value other than one, to produce a second blended component, and merging the first blended component with the second blended component to produce a blended image region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for examination of images having an image storage device which is designed to store image data for images to be evaluated, a display device which is designed to display the image data, an input device for a subject that is designed to interrogate visualization data, a control device which connects the abovementioned devices to one another, a data matching device for matching image data and visualization data, and an evaluation device for calculation of a visualization profile, with the visualization data comprising position data which is transmitted from the input device. The input device may have a pointing appliance designed such that it is moved manually by the subject for pointing, and the input device interacting interactively with the marking such that the position of the pointing appliance is displayed by means of the marking on the display device. This allows simple and fast recording of the areas which are particularly observed by subjects.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of processor elements including registers and configured to process respective data items, a global processor configured to control the plurality oaf processor elements; the global processor and the plurality of processor elements constituting an SIMD microprocessor, and a data control device coupled to a data transfer port for accessing the registers, the processor elements configured to perform a contiguity check and tentative labeling of pixels adjacent in a sub-scan direction as parallel processes with respect to binary image data, the data control device configured to perform a contiguity check and tentative labeling of pixels adjacent in a main scan direction as consecutive processes, and the parallel processes performed ahead of the consecutive processes with respect to a line of interest in the binary image data.

Abstract: The invention discloses multi-channel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation systems and manufacture thereof. The multi-channel fiber Bragg-grating sensor interrogation unit comprises at least one integrated optic sensor microchip and a signal processing IC-electronics unit in a miniaturized, telecommunications standard, hermetically sealed 2-cm×5-cm SFF single fiber package.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for discrete point temperature sensing include a temperature sensor that can be part of an array of temperature sensors for location in a wellbore. A single unitary ribbon-like structure can form the temperature sensor that has separate optical cores possessing different characteristics such that one core is unique from another core. Each core has a reflective grating disposed therein such that the wavelength of light reflected by the gratings is in response to temperature and any strain applied to the sensor from a surrounding environment. For some embodiments, the responses to strain from each of the gratings are similar while the responses from each of the gratings to temperature are dissimilar due to the different characteristics of the cores. These responses provided separately by each grating therefore enable compensation for strain in order to provide an accurate temperature measurement at the sensor.

Abstract: A header-replaceable hybrid waveguide sensor comprises a header coupling section including a dielectric layer having an optical signal input section and an optical signal output section formed in one end thereof, the dielectric layer having two lines of protrusions formed on the upper surface thereof; and a polymer layer formed on and under the dielectric layer; and a sensor header including a dielectric layer having a protrusion formed on the upper surface thereof and a predetermined size of thin metal film provided therein; a polymer layer formed on and under the dielectric layer and having an opening formed in a portion corresponding to the thin metal film, the opening having a larger width than the thin metal film; and a receptor layer formed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer exposed by the opening.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a distributed pressure and shear stress sensor includes a flexible substrate, such as PDMS, with a waveguide formed thereon. Along the waveguide path are several Bragg gratings. Each Bragg grating has a characteristic Bragg wavelength that shifts in response to an applied load due to elongation/compression of the grating. The wavelength shifts are monitored using a single input and a single output for the waveguide to determine the amount of applied pressure on the gratings. To measure shear stress, two flexible substrates with the waveguide and Bragg gratings are placed on top of each other such that the waveguides and gratings are perpendicular to each other. To fabricate the distributive pressure and shear sensor, a unique micro-molding technique is used wherein gratings are stamped into PDMS, for example.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising an array of modulated sources, each providing a modulated signal output at a channel wavelength different from the channel wavelength of other modulated sources and a wavelength selective combiner having an input optically coupled to received all the signal outputs from the modulated sources and provide a combined output signal on an output waveguide from the chip. The modulated sources, combiner and output waveguide are all integrated on the same chip.

Abstract: Provided is a long cavity single-mode laser diode in which a ring waveguide is integrated such as a conventional array waveguide (AWG)-based laser or a concave grating (CG)-based laser.

Abstract: Polyimide substrates, and polymer laminates for optical and electronic applications are described. Single or multi-layer waveguide structures are deposited on the polyimide substrates. Laminates including polymer or a hybrid organic/inorganic waveguiding film can be deposited on a polished polyimide substrate. The laminate can also include piezoelectric and metallic layers. Micromachined optical devices, such as cantilevered waveguide are fabricated by laser ablation using a combination of IR and UV lasers. A fiber-to-waveguide coupler with a laser-machined groove for holding the fiber is also disclosed. Holes are drilled with excimer and YAG laser in the polyimide substrate and metallized to provide continuous electrical contact between both sides of the substrate. Metallized polyimide substrates are bumped and stacked to provide high density interconnects. The polyimide substrate is bonded to a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An optical sensing system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of detecting a scattering center includes the step of providing an optical sensing system including a light source, one or more bus waveguides where a first bus waveguide has an input port that is in optical communication with the light source, a microresonator optically coupled to the one or more bus waveguides, and a scattering center which is capable of optically coupling to the microresonator. The method further includes the steps of exciting at least a first resonant guided optical mode of the microresonator with the light source, altering a strength of optical coupling between the scattering center and the microresonator to induce a change in optical scattering between the first mode and at least a second guided optical mode of the microresonator, and detecting a change in transfer of energy from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable systems and methods incorporating a luminescent compound-containing layer to identify cracks. Exemplary embodiments include a fiber optic cable apparatus including a core for receiving laser light emitted from a VCSEL for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having an index of retraction differential with the core thereby allowing containment of light within the core by total internal reflection within the core, a buffer disposed around the cladding, the buffer capable of receiving LED emitted light for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a braiding layer disposed around the buffer and configured to allow LED light to transmit from the buffer, and a jacket disposed around the braiding layer, the jacket having optical properties to receive LED light transmitted down the buffer in response to VCSEL light having been unsuccessfully transmitted down the core.

Abstract: A compound optical and electrical conductor includes a fiberoptic light transmitting element (multiple fibers or single solid rod) with at least one solar cell with LED therewith. The electrical conductor or conductors may be imbedded or otherwise secured within the optically conducting element or its surrounding jacket or sheath (20), or may be contained in a separate elongate retainer which may be provided to hold the optically conducting element in place as desired. The conductors may include a jacket or retainer (112) which is optically open along one side thereof, allowing the optical conductor (14) to emit light laterally therefrom subtending an angle defined by the optical gap in the jacket or retainer. One or more compound connectors may be provided, for linking two or more such compound conductors together as desired. The connectors provide for both the concentric alignment of the optical conductors, and also the electrical connection of the electrical conductors (16a-16c) of the compound devices.

Abstract: An image reader for reading an image drawn on a paper or a sheet-like recording medium, an image processor provided with the image reader, such as a copying machine, a scanner and the like, and a fiber lens to be applied to those devices. The image processor has to be large in the whole size of device to read both sides of an original. Therefore, the image processor of the present invention comprises an image reader (10a) on the upper side of transport path and an image reader (10b) on the lower side of that respectively. In order to downsize the device, it is necessary to shorten the diameter of optical fiber (140) of the fiber lens (14) installed in the imager reader as light receiving means. In this case, the optical fiber (140) is provided with a light-absorbing layer 8(143) around of the optical fiber (140) in order to restrain the crosstalk and the flare phenomenon. The illuminance of light source means (15) installed in the image reader gets smaller as the device is downsized.

Abstract: An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wafer scale process for the manufacture of optical waveguide devices, and particularly for the manufacture of ridge waveguide devices, and the improved waveguides made thereby. The present invention has found a process for achieving sub-micron control of an optical waveguiding layer thickness by providing a dimensionally stable wafer assembly into which adhesive can be introduced without altering the planar relationship between a carrier wafer and an optically transmissive wafer in wafer scale manufacture. This process permits wafer scale manufacture of optical waveguide devices including thin optically transmissive layers. A pattern of spacer pedestals is created by a deposition and etch back, or by a surface etch process to precisely reference surface information from a master surface to a carrier wafer to a thin optically transmissive wafer. The tolerance achievable in accordance with this process provides consistent yield across the wafer.

Abstract: The drop terminal includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters having outer connector ports that are accessible from outside the drop terminal. The drop terminal receives a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers. Fiber optic connectors are positioned at the ends of the optical fibers. The fiber optic connectors are inserted into inner connector ports of the fiber optic adapters. The drop terminal also includes an anchor block for securing the fiber optic cable to a main housing of the drop terminal. The anchor block can be secured to the main housing of the drop terminal by a mechanical interlock. The drop terminal may also include a transparent interior shield or liner that retains fibers in position within the drop terminal during assembly of the drop terminal.

Abstract: A fiber clamp (220) for clamping an optical fiber (16) includes a first clamp section (228) and a second clamp section (230) that flexibly urges the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). The second clamp section (230) can include a retainer housing (244) and a pair of spaced apart flexible members (246) that extend from the retainer housing (244). The flexible members (246) flexibly urge the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). A fastener assembly (232) can be used to urge the clamp sections (228) (230) directly together.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber pigtail assembly wherein a polarization maintaining fiber is soldered directly to a mounting pad without a sleeve or a ferrule therebetween. A portion of the polarization maintaining fiber near a fiber end is embedded in a vertical slow axis orientation within an asymmetrical solder ball having a flat portion for adhering to the mounting pad. The vertical slow axis orientation of the polarization maintaining fiber within the solder ball enhances power stability and polarization extinction ratio properties of optical modules utilizing the invention.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule molding die 1 for molding an optical connector ferrule having a plurality of optical fiber holes comprises an upper die 10, a lower die 11, and an intermediate die 12, whereas the intermediate die 12 comprises a plurality of optical fiber hole forming pins 126 for forming optical fiber holes. The lower die 11 is provided with a protrusion 114 for forming a window hole of the optical connector ferrule, whereas the optical fiber hole forming pins 126 projecting from the intermediate die 12 are secured by through holes 115 penetrating through the protrusion 114 and V-grooves 113.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need for a stress relieving device and protective jacket for exposed fiber within a field-installed optical network enclosure, such as a network interface device. The present invention incorporates a furcation tube coupled with a furcation body. The coupling may be accomplished by a direct connection or with use of an external or internal transition body. The present invention enables a field-installer to transition an optical fiber cable from the field into a furcation tube thereby providing a means for attaching an optical connector, such as a mechanical splice connector, onto the optical fiber and furcation tube.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer composition comprising 5 to 100% by mass of a unit (A) of a lactone compound represented by a general formula (1) and 0 to 95% by mass of a unit (B) of (meth)acrylate as constitutional units, wherein the unit (A) of a lactone compound comprises a unit of an (S) isomer represented by a general formula (2) and a unit of an (R) isomer represented by a general formula (3) at a mass ratio of from 70/30 to 30/70; and wherein the polymer composition has a total light scattering loss of not more than 100 dB/km. The polymer composition is excellent in heat resistance and transparency.

Abstract: A light guide member for guiding light received from a light source, the light source illuminating light toward the light guide member, the light guide member may include a plurality of first grooves on a first side of the light guide member, the first grooves extending along a first direction crossing a zero-degree radiation angle of the light from the light source, wherein an angle of a reflective face of the first groove increases approaching away from the light source of the light source.

Abstract: A data output apparatus includes a disk drive for driving a magneto-optical disk. Compressed image data recorded on the magneto-optical disk is transferred from the magneto-optical disk to an SDRAM according to a transfer instruction set in an instruction list and then output through an expansion process by a JPEG codec. A size of the compressed image data for which the transfer instruction is set in the instruction list and which has not yet been transferred to the SDRAM, and a size of the compressed image data for which the transfer instruction is set in the instruction list and which has not yet been expanded are detected by a CPU. The CPU suspends an output of an expansion instruction to the JPEG codec when a difference between the detected sizes is below a threshold value.

Abstract: An audiovisual information data processing apparatus includes: data forming unit for forming content list data representing lists concerning audiovisual information data stored in a hard disk drive; image display unit for performing image display for the lists; attribute information detecting unit for detecting, for the audiovisual information data included in the lists, the reproduction limitation information; reproduction limited data recognizing unit for recognizing audiovisual information data, which comes into a state in which reproduction limitation functions, of the audiovisual information data included in the lists as reproduction limited data with reference to the detected reproduction limitation information; and image display control unit for setting a display portion concerning the audiovisual information data, which is recognized as the reproduction limited data in the image display for the lists, as a portion where specific display is performed.