Abstract: A method for recognizing individual plants of a selected type growing in a field, wherein the method comprises capturing color NIR image data of an entire field having plants of a selected type growing therein utilizing an automated plant counting system and calculating a ratio value between each pixel of the color image data and the corresponding pixel of the NIR image data utilizing a plant recognition algorithm executed via a data processing system of the plant counting system. The method additionally comprises generating, via execution of the plant recognition algorithm, a false color image of the field based on the calculated ratios for each pixel, and identifying, via execution of the plant recognition algorithm, all plants of the selected type in the false color image based on a plant distinguishing characteristic uniquely rendered for each individual plant of the selected type in the false color image.

Abstract: The present technique has a face detection unit configured to detect a face region which is determined as a face in an image, a position specifying unit configured to specify a particular position in the image, a range specifying unit configured to set a hue range which has a first range containing a hue at a position specified by the position specifying unit in a case where the position specified by the position specifying unit is not contained in the face region and to set a hue range which has a second range containing a hue at a position specified by the position specifying unit and wider than the first range in a case where the position specified by the position specifying unit contains the face region, and image processing unit for performing image conversion processing based on color information contained in the hue range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the detecting of defects in the imaging components of the array camera and determining whether the detected defects may be tolerated by image processing algorithms. The calibration process also determines translation information between imaging components in the array camera for use in merging the image data from the various imaging components during image processing. Furthermore, the calibration process may include a process to improve photometric uniformity in the imaging components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high precision method, model and apparatus for calibrating, determining the rotation of the lens scope around its symmetry axis, updating the projection model accordingly, and correcting the image radial distortion in real-time using parallel processing for best image quality. The solution provided herein relies on a complete geometric calibration of optical devices, such as cameras commonly used in medicine and in industry in general, and subsequent rendering of perspective correct image in real-time. The calibration consists on the determination of the parameters of a suitable mapping function that assigns each pixel to the 3D direction of the corresponding incident light.

Abstract: When interval capturing by an imaging section is performed, a CPU acquires a blur state at a capture timing from the detection result by an acceleration sensor, and performs pre-processing (camera-shake processing: trimming processing in consideration of a blur) on the captured image corresponding to the blur state. Also, when the blur is larger than a predetermined value, the CPU further performs post-processing (camera-shake processing: trimming processing in consideration of a blur) also on images captured at capture timings preceding to and subsequent to the capture timing for capturing the image based on the blur state (more specifically, processing lighter in load than the pre-processing at the capture timing).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module, the camera module including a camera body including a handshake correction unit configured to correct an image shake caused by handshake, and an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) including a first connection unit connected to the camera body, a second connection unit connected to the first connection unit by being folded, and a third connection unit connected to the second connection unit by being folded.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a second communication control unit, a first communication control unit and a communication unit. The second communication control unit controls the communication unit so as to transmit information of a face image serving as identification information to identify a specific subject to one other image capture apparatus. The first communication control unit controls the communication unit so as to receive from the other image capture apparatus, from among images captured by the image capture unit included in each image capture apparatus, an image in which a subject designated by the transmitted face image is captured.

Abstract: Images stored in a camera are edited using a television device. The television device determines that the camera incorporates television device remote control editing capabilities and sends a sequence of television device remote control output signals from a television device remote control to the camera to edit an image stored on the camera. The television device receives the edited image, as edited using remote control output signals, from the camera and generates signals for displaying the edited image on a display associated with the television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A multi-view imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes a plurality of imaging units each including an image sensor and a memory configured to store therein image data taken by the image sensor, the imaging units being daisy-chain connected to each other in order to send the image data, and also includes an interface unit connected to a lowermost imaging unit, the interface unit being configured to output pieces of image data taken by the plurality of imaging units to an outside. The imaging units each add own-stage data to data outputted from an upper-stage imaging unit, and output the resultant data to a lower-stage imaging unit.

Abstract: The present technique has a face detection unit configured to detect a face region which is determined as a face in an image, a position specifying unit configured to specify a particular position in the image, a range specifying unit configured to determine a first range as a range for calculating an evaluation value of a hue and to set a hue at a position specified by the position specifying unit in a case where the position is not contained in the face region, and to determine a second range as a range for calculating an evaluation value of a hue and to set a hue at a position specified by the position specifying unit in a case where the position contains the face region, and image processing unit for performing image conversion processing based on color information contained in the hue range.

Abstract: A line-of-sight detection apparatus is configured to calculate a mean luminance value in an eye area of a face image, determine that an object is a person whose iris area is blue or green in a case in which the calculated mean luminance value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, determine a correction parameter for correcting the eye area based on the determined color of the iris area, and generate a luminance image in which the eye area is corrected by using the determined correction parameter. Thus, the line-of-sight detection apparatus detects a line of sight with high accuracy regardless of the color of the iris area.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for examining authenticity of printed material and distinguishing between original printed material and counterfeit printed material is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a mobile device. The mobile device recognizes a reference point on a page of the printed material, computes a color balance ratio for that reference point, and compares the computed color balance ratio to an expected value for original printed material. Based on the comparison between the computed color balance ratio and the expected value, a determination is made as to the authenticity of the printed material. If the printed material is authentic, the mobile device may provide supplementary, complementary and/or additional information and content, for example, information related to the page or chapter of the printed material. If the printed material is not authentic, the mobile device may inhibit the presentation of additional material.

Abstract: A digital camera (400) comprises a sensor array (410) having image pixels (I) for capturing image data during an exposure period (EP), and focus-detection pixels (F) for determining focus information in a first mode of operation. The digital camera (400) is adapted for obtaining brightness related data (v) from the focus-detection pixels (F) in a second mode of operation, during capturing of an image by means of the image pixels (I), the digital camera further comprising a controller (428) adapted for determining the exposure period (EP) based on the brightness related data (v) obtained from the focus-detection pixels (F). A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A mobile device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The mobile device includes a camera unit configured to sense an image, a display unit configured to display the image, a sensor unit configured to detect an input signal and transmit the detected input signal to a processor, and the processor configured to control the display unit, the camera unit and the sensor unit. The processor is further configured to provide an image capturing interface, wherein the image capturing interface displays the image sensed by the camera unit and an image capturing trigger for storing the image, and adjust focus of the image to an area corresponding to a location of a pattern code automatically and simultaneously display a pattern code trigger in the image capturing interface, only when the pattern code is recognized from the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store user information of an imaging apparatus, image information containing an image or images captured by the imaging apparatus, and operation information of the imaging apparatus during image capture, in association with each other; an obtaining unit configured to obtain operation information corresponding to user information of a first imaging apparatus when receiving the user information of the first imaging apparatus; an analysis unit configured to analyze at least one time segment based on the operation information; and an extraction unit configured to extract image information corresponding to the at least one time segment from image information of an imaging apparatus or apparatuses other than the first imaging apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical system of electrical equipment includes an imaging optical system and an optical function complementary processing circuit. The imaging optical system captures light from a subject. The imaging optical system forms a subject image. The electrical equipment includes the imaging optical system, a solid state imaging device, and an image signal processing circuit. The solid state imaging device images the subject image. The solid state imaging device outputs an image signal. The image signal processing circuit executes processing of the image signal. The optical function complementary processing circuit is provided in a processing path between the solid state imaging device and the image signal processing circuit. The optical function complementary processing circuit executes processing for complementing functions of the imaging optical system regarding formation of the subject image.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises: a plurality of pixels each for converting light, converted from radiation by a conversion unit, into an electrical signal; an extracting unit that extracts, based on an image formed based on output signals from the pixels, a pixel with noise generated by the radiation that has transmitted through the conversion unit to arrive at the pixels; and a correcting unit that performs correction to remove the noise with respect to an output signal from the extracted pixel, wherein the extracting unit extracts the pixel with the noise by performing division between first and second images, the first image being formed based on the output signals from the pixels in accordance with the radiation to the conversion unit during a first period, the second image being formed based on these output signals in accordance with that radiation during a second period after the first period.

Abstract: A method of acquiring images of an object arranged on a supporting surface includes providing at least one optical image acquisition apparatus of the object provided with an optical axis; in a work step of the optical apparatus an acquired image is processed to correct a possible perspective distortion of the image and at least one feature of the object is extracted from the processed image. The method further includes associating a known reference plane with the object and, in a configuration step of the optical apparatus preceding the work step, obtaining a corresponding inclination between the reference plane and the optical axis; processing the acquired image in fact comprises identifying a processing mode determined as a function of the corresponding inclination and applying this preset processing mode to correct the possible perspective distortion.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a pixel array including a plurality of pixel blocks on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate, each pixel block having a first to third pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element, the first pixel having a first filter with a higher transmission to a light in a first wavelength range, the second pixel having a second filter with a higher transmission to a light in a second wavelength range having a complementary color to a color of the light in the first wavelength range, and the third pixel having a third filter transmitting lights in a wavelength range including the first and second wavelength ranges; a readout circuit reading signal charges from the first to the third pixels; and a signal processing circuit processing the signal charges.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a lens array, an image sensor, a display unit, a recording unit configured to record the video data read out from the image sensor, a readout control unit which has a first readout mode of reading out video data of pixels in first regions coinciding with a position relative to each lens and a second readout mode of reading out video data of pixels in second regions, and a control unit configured to perform control, upon reading out video data from the image sensor in the first readout mode, to read out video data from the image sensor in the second readout mode and display a video obtained from the video data read out in the first readout mode, and to record the video data read out in the second readout mode.

Abstract: A microlens array unit according to an embodiment includes: a substrate; a first group of microlenses including first microlenses having a convex shape and a first focal length, the first group of microlenses being arranged on the substrate; and a second group of microlenses including second microlenses having a convex shape and a second focal length different from the first focal length, the second group of microlenses being arranged on the substrate, a first imaging plane of the first group of microlenses and a second imaging plane of the second group of microlenses being parallel to each other, a distance between the first and second imaging planes in a direction perpendicular to the first imaging plane being 20% or less of the first focal length, and images of the first microlenses projected on the substrate not overlapping images of the second microlenses projected on the substrate.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising a plurality of pixels arrayed on a substrate, and element isolation regions formed between the plurality of pixels on the substrate, wherein the plurality of pixels include a first pixel including a first color filter for passing light having a first wavelength, a second pixel including a second color filter for passing light having a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength, and a pixel for focus detection including a light-shielding pattern arranged on the photoelectric conversion portion to limit light entering the photoelectric conversion portion, and among the element isolation regions, a first region between the pixel for focus detection and the first pixel has a potential barrier against a signal charge, which is lower than that of a second region between the first pixel and the second pixel.

Abstract: An optical member set which has a first optical member formed by curing a composition of curable resins, and a second optical member which is covered by the first optical member, in which the contact angle with water on a surface, which comes into contact with a first optical member, of the second optical member is 70 to 97° and the contact angle with the water on a surface of the opposite side to the side, which comes into contact with the second optical member, of the first optical member is 80 to 115°.

Abstract: A processor for determining whether or not a first position of an image sensor corresponding to a pixel of an image sensor is included in areas of the image sensor corresponding to microlenses of the image sensor includes a cache configured to store one or more second positions of the image sensor corresponding to centers of the microlenses, each of the second positions being included in one or more of multiple regions defining an entire region of the image sensor, and a first controller configured to cause one or more of the second positions to be stored in the cache. Whether or not the first position is included in the areas corresponding to the microlenses is determined based on the second positions stored in the cache.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a solid-state image pickup device including a pixel array unit including unit pixels. Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric converter, column signal lines and a number of analog-digital converting units. The unit pixels are selectively controlled in units of rows. Analog signals output from the unit pixels in a row selected by the selective control though the column signal lines are converted to digital signals via the analog-digital converting units. The digital signals are added among a number of unit pixels via the analog-digital converting units. The added digital signals from the analog-digital converting units are read. Each unit pixel in the pixel array unit is selectively controlled in units of arbitrary rows, the analog-distal converting units being operable to performing the converting in a (a) normal-frame-rate mode and a (b) high-frame-rate mode in response to control signals.

Abstract: An image capture device may capture a series of images. The series of images may include a plurality of metering images interleaved with a plurality of preview images. The preview images may be captured using respective total exposure times (TETs) that are based on characteristics of at least one previously-captured metering image. A viewfinder of the image capture device may display a stream of display images. Each display image in the stream of display images may be derived from at least one of the preview images, and at least part of the capturing may occur contemporaneously with at least part of the displaying.

Abstract: An image-capture unit 22 of an image-capture apparatus 1 captures an image of a subject. A display unit 21 can be disposed in a range where emission light reaches the subject whose image is captured by the image-capture unit 22 and displays the image using the emission light. An emission light control unit 75 executes control for changing at least one of a display content and a display state of an image displayed in the display unit 21 at the photographing time in consideration of an influence of the emission light (irradiation light) from the display unit 21 on a photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: There are included a housing, an image capturing unit provided to the housing, for capturing a subject image formed through an optical system, a sound pickup unit provided to the housing, for picking up audio, and a movable unit capable of moving at least between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing, the movable unit including a light emitter for emitting light on a subject, and a plate-shaped plate portion, the movable unit being for forming a space between the light emitter and the plate portion, and in a case where the movable unit is at the first position, the sound pickup unit is disposed in the space, and in a case where the movable unit is at the second position, the plate portion is disposed at a position facing the sound pickup unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate, and element isolation regions formed between the plurality of pixels on the substrate, wherein the plurality of pixels include a first pixel including a first color filter for passing light having a first wavelength, a second pixel including a second color filter for passing light having a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength, and a pixel for focus detection into which light longer than at least the second wavelength enters, and of the element isolation regions, a first region between the pixel for focus detection and the first pixel has a potential barrier against a signal charge, which is higher than that of a second region between the first pixel and the second pixel.

Abstract: A three-chip camera apparatus includes: a color separation prism which includes an incident surface perpendicular to an optical axis, a first emission surface parallel to the incident surface, a second emission surface inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the optical axis, and a third emission surface inclined at a second inclination angle greater than the first inclination angle; a first imaging device which is disposed in parallel to the first emission surface; a second imaging device which is disposed in parallel to the second emission surface; and a third imaging device which is disposed in parallel to the third emission surface.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device includes: a first electrode unit including a first substrate transparent to light, a light-transmitting layer formed on the first substrate, and a first electrode formed on the light-transmitting layer and being transparent to light, the light-transmitting layer including recesses formed on a surface facing the first electrode, arranged in a first direction, and extending in a second direction; a second electrode unit including a second substrate, the second substrate being transparent to light, and two second electrodes formed on the second substrate, the second electrodes being arranged in the second direction and extending along the first direction; a liquid crystal layer located between the first and second electrode units; a first polarizing plate located on an opposite side of the second electrode unit from the liquid crystal layer; and a drive unit that applies voltages to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The optical filter includes a filter edge portion forming a boundary between a region through which a light flux is transmitted and a region through which the light flux is not transmitted. The filter edge portion has a concavo-convex shape whose edge outline is formed by a continuous curved line including convex portions and concave portions alternately arranged in a direction in which the boundary extends. The curved line includes part satisfying ?a?60°. ?a represents an angle formed by a tangent at an arbitrary point on the curved line between a top point of one convex portion and a bottom point of one concave portion adjacent to the one convex portion with a tangent at the top point of the one convex portion, the angle ?a becoming larger as the arbitrary point becomes farther from the top point.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element for outputting focus detecting signals. A DFE performs phase difference detection-type focus detecting calculation using an output signal of the imaging element. A CPU controls a focus drive circuit depending on the result of calculation and a focus lens is driven so as to perform a focus adjusting operation. The CPU controls the DFE to intermittently execute focus detecting calculation at a predetermined frequency set for a plurality of image frames. In the first mode, AF processing is executed at a rate of once in a few frames and the operation of a circuit unit for performing correlation calculation or the like is stopped in a frame period during which no focus detecting calculation is performed, whereas in the second mode, AF processing is executed for each frame so as to perform a focus adjusting operation following the movement of an object.

Abstract: An image sensor (810) comprises a plurality of image pixels (R, G, B) and a plurality of focus-pixels (F), each focus-pixel comprising a light shield (51a, 51b) for partly shielding the focus-pixel from incident light so as to obtain a focus-related signal in a first mode of operation. The image sensor further comprises additional circuitry for processing the focus-related signal, which additional circuitry is conveniently located underneath the light shields. The additional circuitry may be adapted for accumulating the charge of two focus-pixels (F1a, F2a), e.g. by charge binning, and for providing the accumulated charge in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: In a configuration in which a non-saturated readout value of a division pixel is subtracted from an addition signal of division pixels, an imaging apparatus capable of performing focus detection with respect to a saturated signal is provided. The imaging apparatus includes a subtraction unit and a suppression unit. The subtraction unit obtains the second image signal by subtracting the first image signal output from the image sensor from an addition signal acquired as a sum of the first image signal and the second image signal output from the image sensor, and the suppression unit suppresses the first image signal to a value equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a liquid crystal optical element including a first electrode having a first recess and a projecting portion surrounding the first recess on a first surface, a second electrode facing the first surface of the first electrode, a filling film located between the first recess of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer located between the filling film and the second electrode; an imaging lens facing the second electrode to form an image of a subject on an imaging plane; and an imaging element facing the first recess, the imaging element having a pixel block having a plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for obtaining a properly exposed strobe-illuminated image are provided. One method for doing so may include, for example, gathering image capture statistics during a first period when a strobe is not emitting light and during a second period when the strobe emits a preflash. These image capture statistics may include distinct image capture control statistics and luma values associated with the periods. Final image capture control statistics then may be determined based at least in part on the first luma value normalized to the first image capture control statistics and the second luma value normalized to the second image capture control statistics. Thereafter, the final image capture control statistics may be used to capture a properly exposed strobe-illuminated image when the strobe emits a main flash.

Abstract: Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing that accommodates therein at least one heating element. At least a part of an inner surface of the housing is applied with a heat conductive material. The electronic device may be incorporated in a communication apparatus.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided, the camera module including a housing embedded with a first lens unit including at least one lens, and a driving unit formed at the housing and bonded with a second lens unit including at least one lens, the second lens being optically aligned with the first lens unit, the driving unit including piezoelectric elements moving the second lens unit.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including an apparatus comprising a curved reflector having an interior and an open end. The curved reflector includes a curved light-reflecting surface and a pair of reflective surfaces. A light module is positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector. A waveguide module is coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the waveguide module. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an earphone jack, a display, a video card, a switch, a conversion module, and a transmission module. The video card converts digital video signals into analog video signals and sends the analog video signals to the display. The switch generates a double-screen display signal in response to a user's operation thereon. The conversion module converts the digital video signals into analog audio signals in real time according to the double-screen display signal. The transmission module transmits the converted analog audio signals to another portable electronic device through a signal wire. Two ends of the signal wire plug into two earphone jacks of the two portable electronic devices, respectively. A display method is also provided.

Abstract: A video transmission device 10 has: a packer 11 which receives a video signal, a sync signal, and a data-enable signal, and generates a plurality of packet signals by packetizing the video signal and the sync signal based on the data-enable signal and according to the number of bytes of a packet corresponding to the number of gradation bits of the video signal; an encode unit 15 which generates a plurality of encoded packet signals by encoding the plurality of packet signals; and a serializer 14 which generates a serial packet signal by parallel-serial converting the plurality of encoded packet signals. The packer 11 generates a control signal including a pulse with a pulse width corresponding to the number of bytes of the packet, and the encode unit 15 subjects a portion of the packet signals corresponding to the pulse in the control signal from the packer, to an encode process which is different from a process for the other portion.

Abstract: An information display device, which facilitates obtainment of information about an object in video, includes: a related information obtaining unit which obtains related information including (i) positional information indicating a first position of a currently displayed object on a video display screen of a video display device that is external to the information display device and (ii) object information indicating attribute information of the object; a display unit which displays the object information in the related information obtained by the related information obtaining unit; and a display control unit which controls the display unit so that the object information is displayed at a second position on the display unit corresponding to the first position indicated by the positional information in the related information, in coordination with a display of the object on the video display screen.

Abstract: Interpolated video tagging techniques are described. An example method includes identifying, a sequence of video frames included in a plurality of video frames of a video, where an object exists in at least one video frame of the sequence of video frames, determining an interpolation function associated with the existence of the object in the sequence of video frames, where the interpolation function specifies a time domain of the video in which the interpolation function is valid, and transmitting the video, an indication of the object, and an indication of the interpolation function.

Abstract: There is provided an image extracting apparatus including: a CPU 11 that acquires a first moving image; an impact detection processing unit 54 that identifies a predetermined time point in the acquired moving image; an extraction time point identifying unit 55 that calculates reliability of a period of the first moving image; and a moving image storage control unit 56 that extracts a second moving image of a predetermined period according to the predetermined time point and the reliability from the first moving image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a detail-enhanced video signal are provided. In a method for generating the detail-enhanced video signal, an input video signal is received. A first signal that is a linear transformation of the input video signal is generated. A detail signal is generated by determining a difference between the input video signal and the first signal, where the detail signal includes information that is added to the input video signal to generate the detail-enhanced video signal. A filtered detail signal is generated by removing noise from the detail signal. The filtered detail signal is multiplied by a gain function to generate a second signal. The gain function is based on an amount of variance in the input video signal. The input video signal and the second signal are combined to generate the detail-enhanced video signal.

Abstract: A method of selecting video source devices to drive first and second presentation spaces provided by at least one display screen in a collaborative workspace, the method comprising the steps of providing a control assembly that includes a plurality of control interfaces, each control interface including a separate selectable control associated with each of the presentation spaces, associating at least first and second video sources with first and second of the control interfaces, respectively, for each of the control interfaces, when a selectable control is selected, providing video information from the video source device associated with the control interface used to make the selection to the presentation space associated with the selectable control such that a plurality of video images from at least first and second different video source devices can be presented simultaneously in the presentation spaces.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a communication module, a storage, a determination module and an acquisition module. The communication module is configured to perform communication with a plurality of external devices. The storage is configured to store an address list correlating a logical address and a physical address of each of the external devices. The determination module is configured to transmit a power-on signals to the external devices and thereafter determine a power state of the external devices. The acquisition module is configured to perform switching of input by the communication module after the determination module determines that the external devices are powered on, and to acquire device information including the physical addresses of the external devices.

Abstract: Electronic equipment and methods for permitting quick control of the operating state of a source equipment side from sink equipment. A television receiver (sink equipment) 100 and an amplifier (repeater equipment) 200 are interconnected over an HDMI cable 610, and the amplifier 200 and a DVD recorder (source equipment) 300 are interconnected over an HDMI cable 620. Each of the pieces of equipment includes, in addition to an HDMI receiving unit and an HDMI transmitting unit, a high-speed data line I/F included in a bidirectional communication unit that uses predetermined lines of the HDMI cable. The bidirectional communication unit is used to transmit channel selection information, a remote control code instructing recording, “theater mode” designating information, a remote control code, or the like from the television receiver 100 to the audio amplifier 200 or DVD recorder 300.