Abstract: Provided are a first communication circuit for communicating with an AFE, an image noise detecting circuit for detecting whether or not an image noise is superposed on a digital image signal, and a communication control circuit for outputting a communication forbidding signal when the image noise detecting circuit detects that the image noise is superposed on the digital image signal. The first communication circuit arrests the communication when the communication forbidding signal is detected.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes, an imaging unit configured to output an image signal of a captured object, a processing unit configured to perform a signal processing on the image signal, wherein the processing unit includes a cyclic noise reduction unit configured to reduce a noise of the image signal, a parameter change unit configured to change a parameter concerning at least one of an imaging by the imaging unit and the signal processing, and a coefficient change unit configured to change a cyclic coefficient of the cyclic noise reduction unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image defect correction processing circuit includes a signal level comparator circuit and a defect correction circuit. The signal level comparator circuit extracts the maximum signal level and the minimum signal level from a plurality of pixel signals existing around a correction target pixel. The defect correction circuit executes defect corrections with respect to the correction target pixel.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of correcting a captured image for lens shading artifacts, the captured image being captured by an image capture system, the method comprising: determining a function L(x, y) being a lens shading correction function to be applied to images captured by a lens of the image capture system in order to correct for lens shading artifacts; if a focal length associated with the captured image is less than a focal length associated with, the function L(x, y) then cropping the function L(x, y) based on the focal length associated with the captured image; and scaling the cropped function L(x, y) to a size of the tin-cropped Junction L(x, y).

Abstract: An imaging sensor comprising a plurality of pixels is provided. The pixels comprise photoelectric converters and optical members. The optical member covers the photoelectric converter. Incident light passes through the optical member. The pixels are arranged in two dimensions on a light-receiving area. First differences are created for the distances between the photoelectric converter and a far-side surface of the optical member in two of the pixels in a part of pixel pairs among all of the pixel pairs. The far-side surface is an opposite surface of a near-side surface. The near-side surface of the optical member faces the photoelectric converter. The pixel pair includes two of the pixels selected from the plurality of the pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor comprising a plurality of first pixels is provided. The pixels comprise photoelectric converters and first optical members. The first optical member covers the photoelectric converter. Light incident on the photoelectric converter passes through the first optical member. The first pixels are arranged on a light-receiving area. First differences are created for the thicknesses of the first optical members in two of the first pixels in a part of first pixel pairs among all first pixel pairs. The first pixel pair includes two of the first pixels selected from the plurality of said first pixels.

Abstract: A photographing module is provided. The photographing module includes a lens unit including at least one lens; an imaging device which converts image light, transmitted through the lens unit, into an electrical signal; and a signal transmission member including a plurality of lead units which transmit the electrical signal to an outside, and a mold unit in which a groove which accommodates at least a portion of the imaging device is formed. At least one of the lead units includes a first lead terminal which is exposed at an inner portion of the groove and electrically connected to a terminal of the imaging device; a second lead terminal which has a different height from the first lead terminal and is exposed outside the signal transmission member; and a connection portion which connects the first lead terminal to the second lead terminal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus with improved convenience, which can perform various types of processing using an imaging device while performing phase difference detection, is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) for performing photoelectric conversion to convert light into an electrical signal, the imaging device (10) configured so that light passes through the imaging device (10), a phase difference detection unit (20) for receiving the light having passed through the imaging device (10) to perform phase difference detection, a focus lens group (72) for adjusting a focus position, and a body control section (5) for controlling the imaging device (10) and controlling driving of the focus lens group (72) at least based on a detection result of the phase difference detection unit. The body control section (5) performs a focus operation based on a detection result of the phase difference detection unit during exposure of the imaging device.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the imaging apparatus of the rolling shutter system first exposes/reads odd lines of an imaging sensor and then exposes/reads even lines. An image of one line is formed by sorting information of the lines, which is obtained by reading the information of the odd lines first and reading the information of the even lines later, in order of line positions. As a result, exposure start timing of adjacent odd/even lines is significantly shifted, and the exposure unevenness has a periodic stripe pattern when the exposure unevenness caused by flash emission of another person, etc. occurs on an image of one frame. Therefore, accurate detection of exposure unevenness caused by flash emission of another person in an imaging apparatus of a rolling shutter system can be achieved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array, load transistor, first switch transistor, and second switch transistor. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix. Each unit pixel includes a photodiode, a read transistor, a reset transistor to which one of a first voltage and a second voltage, and an amplification transistor. The second switch transistor outputs a bias voltage to the vertical signal line.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes an imaging region, and a control circuit. In a first operation mode, the control circuit performs control in which signal charges of first and second photodiodes are transmitted to a floating diffusion. In a second operation mode, the control circuit performs control in which a signal charge of the second photodiode is transmitted to the floating diffusion.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens barrel assembly and a lens holder. The lens assembly includes a lens barrel and a lens received in the lens barrel. The lens include an optical axis. The lens barrel defines a recess in a sidewall of the lens barrel. The barrel holder includes a peripheral sidewall, an inner flange formed on an inner surface of the peripheral sidewall, and a protrusion extending from the inner flange. The peripheral sidewall of the barrel holder is threadedly engaged with the lens barrel. The protrusion extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis and is inserted in the recess.

Abstract: A display for a computer includes a video camera with a peripheral equipment interface (PEI) disposed at a frame of the display. The PEI includes four signal pins connected to four idle pins of a plurality of idle pins of a first video connector of the display matching with a second video connector of a motherboard of the computer. A power circuit provides power to the PEI, to communicate the video camera with the motherboard via the first video connector and the second video connector.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device having long continuous driving lifetime is provided. The organic light emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and an emission layer formed of an organic compound arranged between the anode and the cathode, in which the emission layer includes a light emitting material and a material having a smallest ionization potential, and an absorption spectrum in a radical cation state of the material having the smallest ionization potential in the emission layer does not have its absorption peak in an emission wavelength region of the light emitting material.

Abstract: An imaging lens (LN) includes at least one lens block (BK), and an aperture stop (ape). The lens block (BK) includes a plane-parallel lens substrate (LS) and a lens (L) formed of different materials. In the imaging lens (LN), a first lens block (BK1) disposed at the most object-side exerts a positive optical power, and said at least one lens block is contiguous only with one of the object-side and image-side substrate surfaces of the lens substrate (LS).

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup device for receiving subject light passed through a photographing optical system by an image pickup surface in which a pixel arrangement is formed, and generating an image signal; and an optically transparent film having an optical anisotropy, and disposed in front of the image pickup surface, the subject light entering the optically transparent film; wherein a width of separation between a first ray of light and a second ray of light produced by birefringence in the optically transparent film is 1/2 or more of a pixel pitch in the pixel arrangement.

Abstract: A manual focusing mechanism, of an imaging apparatus provided with a lens system that includes a focusing lens group, which changes an image plane position by linearly moving the focusing lens group in an optical axis direction thereof via a manual operation of a focusing operational member includes a click-stop mechanism which holds the focusing operational member at one of a plurality of click-stop positions with respect to a support member. An amount of movement of the image plane position in the optical axis direction per one click-stop position of the focusing operational member via the click-stop mechanism is determined to be within a range of the depth of focus of the lens system of the imaging apparatus. An imaging apparatus having such a manual focusing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to photography, including both still photography and video photography. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a lens system that includes a lens, a fitting mountable to a camera, and a flexible body extending between the lens and the fitting. The fitting can be the sole support for the body relative to the camera. The body can be configured to position the lens among at least two operative positions relative to the camera when the fitting is mounted to the camera. Another aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for adjusting focus of a camera using a lens assembly including manually moving a portion of a flexible body of the lens assembly to place a lens in one of at least two operative positions relative to the camera.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus is configured to move a focus lens and an image pickup element to perform focusing, the image pickup element being moved in a predetermined movable range. The image pickup apparatus includes a position detector configured to detect a position of the image pickup element moved for the focusing; and a controller configured to move, after the focusing, the image pickup element to a specific position closer to a center of the predetermined movable range than the position detected by the position detector and to move the focus lens so as to decrease generation of defocus due to the movement of the image pickup element to the specific position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit including an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed by a photographic lens, a light-blocking member configured to adjust an exposure time of the image sensor by mechanically closing an aperture thereof to block a light flux from the photographic lens from entering the image sensor through the aperture, and a driving unit configured to drive the imaging unit along an optical axis within a range including a position where at least a part of the imaging unit is inside the aperture of the light-blocking member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing phase difference detection while allowing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) including light receiving sections (11b, 11b, . . . ) and a substrate (11a) on which the light receiving sections (11b, 11b, . . . ) are provided and which has through holes (18a, 18a, . . . ). The imaging device (10) is configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light. The imaging unit (1) further includes a phase difference detection unit (2) configured to perform phase difference detection on received light which has passed through the imaging device (10) via the through holes (18a, 18a, . . . ).

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a lens frame and a cam frame. The lens frame has a body supporting a lens element in the optical system, at least three through-holes formed in the lens frame body, at least three cam members arranged on the lens frame body and at least one protruding member that protrude from the lens frame body. The cam frame has a body, at least three projection members extending from the cam frame body and inserted through the through-holes, at least three cam grooves formed in the cam frame body and the projection members to guide the cam members and to movably support the lens frame with respect to the cam frame body. The cam frame also has at least one auxiliary groove to guide the protruding member. One end of the auxiliary groove is disposed in the circumferential direction between two adjacent projection members.

Abstract: A frame rate converter device and method for interpolation during frame rate conversion are disclosed. The method includes, receiving input frames containing film content and video content. The film content exhibits a 3:2 pull-down cadence while video content that does not exhibit such cadence. Consecutive frames Cn and Cn+1 are interpolated to form Fn using the frame rate converter. The frame rate converter further selects as an output frame, either current or previous ones of interpolated frames or input frames. The selection is made so as to reduce both film judder and video judder. The invention is suitable for use on video input frames at 60 frames per second (fps) derived from a 24 fps cinema using 3:2 pull-down, and also blended with 60 Hz overlay video such as subtitle text. The invention can be used to obtain a good overall reduction in both overlay video judder and film judder.

Abstract: When a frame rate is doubled by repeating video signals of respective frames twice and then resultant video signals are supplied to the overdrive circuitry, the number of cases where the effect of overdrive is not sufficiently obtained is likely to increase undesirably. A double-speed conversion section inserts, between video signals of an N-1th frame and an Nth frame following the N-1th frame which are input video signals, an N-1th interpolation frame video signal at a signal level same as that of the N-1th frame video signal, and outputs resultant video signals at a frame rate twice as high as that of the input video signals. An interpolation frame correcting section corrects the N-1th interpolation frame video signal outputted from the double-speed conversion section, in accordance with the signal levels of the N-1th frame video signal and of the Nth frame video signal.

Abstract: When an input video source is a movie source, even then if the input video source contains a lot of noise, pulldown can be accurately detected by controlling a gain of a first noise removal circuit based on a pulldown detected state detected from a frame difference value between an input video signal and its frame-delayed video signal to increase the magnitude of the frame difference, and inserting a comparison threshold for determining whether the frame difference is large or small to a stable position, to improve the detection accuracy of a pulldown detection circuit. Moreover, after interlaced/progressive conversion is performed by an IP conversion circuit, a resultant progressive video signal is processed by a second noise removal circuit so that noise originally contained in the input video signal is removed, resulting in a high-quality output video signal.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display control unit configured to cause a display screen to display image data, a determination unit configured to determine a position of an audio output device on the display screen based on the position of the audio output device which is placed within a first predetermined distance from the display screen, and a transmission control unit configured to perform control to transmit, to the audio output device, audio data corresponding to the image data displayed at a position within a second predetermined distance from a position on the display screen which is determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for distributing a received modulated RF signal to a plurality of tuners including a diplexer device. The diplexer device includes a plurality of filter circuits adapted to direct respective portions of the received modulated RF the signal to respective tuner devices. In an illustrated embodiment, the tuner devices supply tuned signals to a picture in picture display device. Also disclosed is a method of receiving a modulated ready of frequency signal and routing portions of the received signal to respective tuner devices using filter devices in a diplexer or multiplexer configuration.

Abstract: A TV uses optical character recognition (OCR) to extract text from a TV image and/or voice recognition to extract text from the TV audio and if a geographic place name is recognized, displays a relevant map in a picture-in-picture window on the TV. The user may be given the option of turning the map feature on and off, defining how long the map is displayed, and defining the scale of the map to be displayed.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed transmit a composite channel to a receiver. The composite channel may be a static channel that contains different original channels of content in different locations on a displayed page, or may be a dynamic channel that is processed by the receiver to display a multiple different video streams on a single display device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image decoding unit and an image adjusting unit. The image decoding unit decodes a data stream to generate a first image comprising a first pixel. The image adjusting unit comprises a pixel edge determining module and a chrominance adjusting module. The pixel edge determining module determines an edge luminance parameter according to an initial luminance value of the first pixel and a plurality of initial luminance values of pixels neighboring the first pixel, and determines an edge chrominance parameter according to an initial chrominance value of the first pixel and a plurality of initial chrominance values of pixels neighboring the first pixel. The first chrominance adjusting module determines a first weight according to the edge luminance parameter and the edge chrominance parameter, and generates a first adjusted chrominance value by weighted calculating a first predetermined chrominance value and the initial chrominance value of the first pixel.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus that can perform a wall color correction and an ambient light correction obtains a wall color correction parameter by projecting a calibration image for the wall color correction and then obtains an ambient light correction parameter by projecting a calibration image for the ambient light correction, which has been subjected to the wall color correction using the wall color correction parameter.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method and system for providing reliable motion estimation even for flat regions. For this purpose the block under processing is checked for flatness. In case of flatness at least one motion vector among the motion vectors associated to blocks being neighboring blocks to the block under processing is selected as candidate vector. The block under processing and at least one further block in a following frame, to which the at least one candidate vector is pointing, are compared and one candidate vector is adopted as motion vector for the block under processing in case that at least one further block is similar to the block under processing.

Abstract: A motion estimation method, applied to an image frame having a time constraint, includes calculating an available time for estimating a motion vector of a block unit of the image frame; and selectively performing at least one stage of a plurality of motion estimation stages according to the available time to estimate the motion vector of the block unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing system that can uniquely identify a motion vector for each pixel of an interpolation frame and accurately identify a motion vector. A motion vector candidate selection unit (301) sequentially selects predetermined motion vector candidates in an interpolation frame. A differential image generation unit (302), a binary image generation unit (303) and an area image generation unit (304) generate a differential image, a binary image and an area image, respectively, based on a selected motion vector candidate. For each pixel of the interpolation frame, a motion vector determination unit (305) identifies a motion vector candidate with which a pixel value of a pixel in the area image corresponding to the pixel is the largest as a motion vector. A pixel value determination unit (306) determines each pixel value of the interpolation frame by using the motion vector identified for each pixel, thereby generating an interpolation frame.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a digital television broadcast method involves generating a digital television signal having one or more transport streams; where data in at least one of the one or more transport streams that supports non-real time (NRT) services, where such data comprises an Internet protocol (IP) stream of packets containing NRT content including a FLUTE file description table (FDT), a NRT information table (NRT-IT), and a Service Map Table (SMT); where the NRT-IT contains a content ID that relates the NRT-IT to the FLUTE FDT, and where the SMT contains a service ID that relates the SMT to the NRT-IT table; and outputting the one or more transport streams for broadcast as a digital television signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A system for tracking a tone (carrier) within a frequency range is provided. The carrier tracking system includes a complex frequency down-converter, a waveform generator, a coordinate converter, and a control circuit. The frequency down-converter generates a Cartesian signal by mixing an input signal and sine and cosine signals. The waveform generator generates the sine and cosine signals based on a frequency bias signal. The coordinate converter converts the Cartesian signal into a polar signal having a norm signal and a phase signal. The control circuit selects a candidate frequency within a predetermined frequency range based on the norm signal and a estimated frequency deviation corresponding to the candidate frequency based on the phase signal, and generates the frequency bias signal based on the candidate frequency, the estimated frequency deviation and a loop error determined by the phase signal.

Abstract: A remotely controllable electronic appliance has a radio frequency energy converter that receives a radio frequency energy from a remote controller and converts the radio frequency energy to electrical energy, where the electrical energy from the energy converter is used to supply power to receive a turn-on code. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A scanning projector includes a mirror that scans in two dimensions. The scanning mirror oscillates at a resonant frequency on a fast-scan axis, and is phase locked to an incoming frame rate on a slow-scan axis. An interpolation component interpolates pixel intensity data from adjacent pixels based on the position of the mirror when a pixel clock arrives. Incoming video data is stored in a buffer. Less than a complete frame of video data may be stored in the buffer.

Abstract: A personal computer (PC) includes a main body, a processor received in the main body, and a projecting unit received in the main body and electrically connected to the processor. The PC does not include a built-in display. The processor transmits image signals to the projecting unit, the projecting unit projects images onto a nearby projection surface corresponding to received image signals, so that the nearby projection surface serves as a display of the PC.

Abstract: A portable image projector is disclosed that has a communications module configured to communicate with a host computer to receive image data for at least one image from the host computer, the image being or having been displayed on a monitor of the host computer; a processor operatively connected to the communication module configured to receive and process the image data and to output the processed image data; and an image projection module operatively connected to the processor and configured to receive the processed image data and to project the processes image data as the at least one image using an image projector. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A backlight device 12 includes a chassis 14, a cold-cathode tube 17 that is disposed in the chassis 14, a main body 27 that is mounted on the chassis 14, a lamp clip 18 that is provided in the main body 27 so as to grip the cold-cathode tube 17, and a reflecting sheet 23 that is disposed in the chassis 14. The reflecting sheet has an opening 41 through which the lamp gripping portion 28 is passed, and an inner edge portion of the opening 41 covers an outer edge portion of the main body 27.

Abstract: This invention provides a toy, such as a plush stuffed animal, having a video display screen for viewing video content, and optionally including audio playback capabilities. The toy includes a microprocessor, memory, a power supply, and control means for selecting content to be displayed or heard.

Abstract: An illumination device 12 according to the present invention includes a linear light source 17, a chassis 14 that houses the linear light source 17, and a spacer 41 that is provided between the linear light source 17 and the chassis 14 so as to separate the linear light source 17 from the chassis 14. The spacer 41 is arranged under the linear light source 17 on the chassis 14 when viewed in plan. Since the spacer 41 is provided between the linear light source 17 and the chassis 14 so as to maintain a distance therebetween over a predetermined distance, the spacer 41 does not overlap the linear light source 17. Therefore, dark areas are less likely to be present on the linear light source 17 and thus uniformity of illumination luminance distribution can be ensured.

Abstract: A liquid crystal parallax barrier panel has the structure formed by stacking an electrode substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a sealing substrate in order. The electrode substrate includes a glass substrate, a first electrode which is branched in plural stages, a second electrode which is arranged on the same layer as the first electrode and is branched in plural stages, and an alignment film. Out of the first electrode and the second electrode, twig portions which include distal ends of branched portions of one electrode and twig portions which include distal ends of branched portions of another electrode are alternately arranged such that the twig portion which includes the distal end of the branched portion of one electrode enters between two twig portions which include the distal ends of branched portions of another electrode.

Abstract: An optical device with liquid crystal (LC) cells for conditioning the polarization of incident light includes a drive unit for the LC cells that employs a digital technique. According to this digital technique, the drive unit generates control signals for opposing electrodes of the LC cells based on digital signals that have the same period but differ in phase by up to one-half period. By employing digital signals that differ in phase by up to one-half period with high resolution, the differential voltage across the LC cells can be controlled precisely to a desired RMS value.

Abstract: A two-stage drive waveform switches a DFLC from a high tilt state such as above the LC's linear region or near the ‘saturated’ or ‘field-driven homeotropic’ state of the LC to a low tilt state quickly and without scattering. A relaxation voltage is applied to delay the onset of the high amplitude high frequency kick voltage when switching from a high tilt state to a low tilt state. The relaxation voltage allows the molecules to ‘relax’ in accordance with their own elasticity towards their low tilt state in the direction of the average azimuth angle of the low tilt state. Once the tilt angle has relaxed sufficiently, the kick voltage is applied to drive the molecules quickly to the low tilt state. Most unexpectedly, optimal switching time and the desired molecular response is achieved by delaying the onset of the large kick voltage via application of the relaxation voltage.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having thin film transistors which can alleviate the required alignment accuracy of a semiconductor film while suppressing the generation of an optical leak current is provided.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a sealed housing part, a liquid crystal display part disposed at the front face of the housing part, a light source part housed in the housing part to generate the light to be displayed on the liquid crystal display part, an electric power supply part housed in the housing part to perform electric power supply, a control part housed in the housing part to perform control, and a heat exchange part disposed at the rear face of the housing part to cool the heat generated in the housing part. The heat exchange part includes an air stirring part for stirring the air in the housing part, a forced air cooling part covered with a duct in which the air stirring part is installed and constructed from a plate extending into the housing part, and a natural air cooling part constructed from a plate extending to the outside of the housing part. The forced air cooling part and the natural air cooling part are integrated with a rear face plate of the housing part.

Abstract: A backlight (illumination device) of this invention includes a plurality of light source units (12) each including (i) at least one light source (5) and (ii) a light guide body (7) for surface-emitting light which has come from the at least one light source. In the light source unit (12), the light source is disposed at one end portion of the light guide body (7), and another end portion of the light guide body (7), opposite to the one end portion, has a thickness from 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. As a result, it is possible to further improve luminance uniformity in an illumination device including a plurality of light guide bodies.

Abstract: A plurality of LEDs (12) include an LED group (12G) wherein the LEDs are arranged in a row, and at least one LED (12T) not in the row. The position of the LED group (12G) in a row on a light guide plate (41) is specified by bringing the LED (12T) into contact with the light guide plate (41).