Abstract: A zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus having such a zoom lens are provided. The zoom lens includes a first lens group in which each lens has negative refractive power, a second lens group in which each lens has positive refractive power, a third lens group in which each lens has positive refractive power. These lens groups are arranged in this order from an object side to an image side. The first lens group includes a negative lens and a positive lens which are arranged in this order from an image side to an object side. The third lens group includes a positive lens. Both surfaces of the negative lens of the first lens group are aspherical surfaces, respectively. Both surfaces of the positive surfaces of the third lens group are aspherical surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A digital to analog conversion apparatus includes a plurality of gain/phase adjusters configured to receive a digital signal and to output a plurality of adjusted digital input signals, a plurality of digital to analog converters coupled to respective ones of the plurality of gain/phase adjusters and configured to receive the adjusted digital input signals and to generate respective analog signals representative of the adjusted digital input signals, a plurality of phase shift elements coupled to respective ones of the plurality of digital to analog converters and configured to shift the phases of the analog signals generated by the digital to analog converters, and a combiner coupled to the outputs of the plurality of digital to analog converters and configured to combine the respective phase-shifted analog signals to form an analog output signal.

Abstract: The intended display aspect-ratio for video is determined automatically by analyzing an image to identify image blocks resulting from prior block-based processing of the video; comparing horizontal and vertical dimensions of those image blocks with horizontal and vertical dimensions of the image, with black border regions excluded as necessary; and determining from that comparison a display aspect ratio for the video.

Abstract: A method for setting a frame rate conversion (FRC) and a display apparatus using the same are provided. According to a method for setting FRC, an FRC level is received from a user; and a motion estimation and motion compensation level when performing FRC is set according to the input FRC level. Therefore, a user may set the FRC level according to the user's preference.

Abstract: A method for controlling a display device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input video image having a plurality of active scan lines, controlling the display device to display a plurality of background scan lines on a first display area with a first scan line frequency, and controlling the display device to display an output image on a second display area with a second scan line frequency. A second aspect ratio of the output image is substantially equal to a first aspect ratio of the input video image. The second scan line frequency is substantially lower than the first scan line frequency.

Abstract: A method of improving the perceptual video quality of video sequences containing black bars. Horizontal or vertical black bars caused by a missmatch between the aspect ratio of the encoded video and the display device. The presence of black bars is detected, and the encoding process is adjusted to eliminate visual depredation of the reproduced video.

Abstract: A rendering device provides improved rendering responsiveness in multi-window display for rendering scenarios in which display sizes of images vary over time, while also reducing required memory bandwidth. The device comprises: a scenario processor 101 for interpreting a rendering scenario and calculating for each frame period a scale-down ratio for each of a plurality of pictures; a plurality of decoders 107 for decoding encoded data of a plurality of videos; a plurality of first scalers for scaling-down the decoded pictures using the scale-down ratios calculated by the scenario processor 101; a memory 106 for storing the scaled-down pictures; a plurality of second scalers 113 for reading the scaled-down pictures from the memory and re-scaling the scaled-down pictures to match the scale-down ratios calculated by the scenario processor for a current frame period; and, a composing unit 115 for composing the re-scaled pictures.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing aspect ratio transformation. Frames of image data from each of one or more input sources are received. A first set of one or more options, including an input aspect ratio, is associated with a first input source. A set of control parameters is determined for each frame from the first input source in accordance with said first input aspect ratio and an output aspect ratio. Each frame from the first input source is processed in accordance with the control parameters for that frame. The processing includes processing a first image from said first input source having said first input aspect ratio to generate a second image having the output aspect ratio. The processing includes converting the first image having the input aspect ratio to the second image having the output aspect ratio if the first input aspect ratio is different from the output aspect ratio.

Abstract: The image display apparatus is capable of receiving a first video signal and image data. The apparatus includes a first electronic zoom processing part performing first electronic zoom processing on the first video signal to output a first electronic zoom processed video signal of a predetermined resolution, a video converting part converting the image data into a second video signal, a second electronic zoom processing part performing second electronic zoom processing on the second video signal to output a second electronic zoom processed video signal of the predetermined resolution, and a displaying part displaying an image corresponding to each of the first and second electronic zoom processed video signals. The second electronic zoom processed video signal output from the second electronic zoom processing part is input to the displaying part through the first electronic zoom processing part without being subjected to the first electronic zoom processing.

Abstract: A video recording device includes: a first identification block that reads video information from a first recording medium in which video information on an analog television broadcast is stored, and identifies the broadcasting format of the read video information; a recording execution block that records the video information, which is read from the first recording medium, in a second recording medium other than the first recording medium; a second identification block that when the video information is recorded in the second recording medium by the recording execution block, identifies the broadcasting format of the video information to be recorded in the second recording medium; and a format decision block that decides whether the broadcasting format identified by the second identification block agrees with the broadcasting format identified by the first identification block.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting an image format of data and a method thereof is disclosed. An apparatus for converting an image format of data comprises an image converter (126) for converting parameters of the image format, an encoder (127) for encoding the format changed data and a file system converter (128) for changing the encodes data into a file system supported by an external interface (121). Also, a method for converting an image format of data comprises converting the image format of data into another image format, encoding the format changed data into a compressed data, and converting data into a file system which an external interface supports.

Abstract: In a method for the video coding of image sequences images in the image sequence are coded in a scaled manner, in such a way that the video data produced contains information which permits the images to be represented in a plurality of differing stages of image resolution, the latter being defined by the number of pixels per image representation. The coding is block-based, in such a way that to describe a displacement of parts of one of the images, said displacement being contained in the image sequence, at least one block structure that describes the displacement is created. Said block structure is configured from one block, which is subdivided into sub-blocks, whereby some of the sub-blocks are further subdivided into successively smaller sub-blocks. A first block structure is temporarily created for at least one first resolution stage and a second block structure is created for a second resolution stage, the first resolution stage having a lower number of pixels than the second resolution stage.

Abstract: A method of opening productive formations by slot-perforating, includes providing a working fluid which contains water, and abrasive component, and an additive; supplying the working fluid at a high pressure towards a formation so as to cut slots and to provide an inflow of oil, gas or hydro-geological liquid from the formation into a borehole; and using as the additive-ethylene glycol so as to reduce density of the working fluid and therefore to increase a speed of jet of the working fluid due to increase of kinetic energy of particles of the abrasive component.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes an active-period interlaced-to-progressive (IP) converter configured to convert active periods (video periods) included in interlaced signals into progressive signals; a blanking-period IP converter configured to convert blanking periods included in the interlaced signals into progressive signals; a multiplexer configured to generate and output display data including both the progressive signals associated with the active periods and the progressive signals associated with the blanking periods; and a display unit configured to display the data output from the multiplexer. The blanking-period IP converter is configured to generate the progressive signals associated with the blanking periods by executing IP conversion in which values copied from data included in the interlaced signals or values corresponding to black pixels are set as pixel values of an interpolated field not included in field data of the interlaced signals.

Abstract: There is provided an image determining device including a frequency band signal detecting unit for dividing an image into a plurality of local regions and detecting for each local region signals of a plurality of frequency bands from the image signal; an average value calculating unit for calculating an average value of a characteristic value corresponding to an amplitude, for each local region and for each signal of the plurality of frequency bands; a local region selecting unit for selecting at least one local region based on image information; an average value selecting unit for selecting the average value corresponding to the selected local region; a relative value calculating unit for calculating a relative value of one average value with respect to another average value both of the average values being of the selected average values; and an image determining unit for determining an image based on the relative value.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for video format conversion. Aspects of the current invention may convert decoded video data from 4:2:2 format to 4:4:4 format. Aspects of the current invention may also convert decoded video data from 4:2:0 format to 4:4:4 format. Aspects of the current invention may further convert decoded video data from 4:2:0 format to 4:2:2 format. Aspects of the current invention may provide a region-aware conversion system that monitors the edges of mosaic windows in order to apply proper boundary conditions during the conversion process.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus, comprising: an input section; a storage section; first and second signal processing sections; and a control section.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source; an image processing section adapted to perform an expansion process of an aspect ratio in either one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of an image to be formed by an image signal input; a light modulation element adapted to modulate light from the light source to form an image on which the expansion process is performed; a projection optical system adapted to project the image, formed by the light modulation element, on a projection surface; and an anamorphic zoom optical system adapted to be capable of changing a magnification ratio of the image with respect to a direction different from a direction, along which the expansion process is performed in the image processing section, out of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

Abstract: A video display device is provided with a video conversion circuit for extending an inputted video signal in horizontal and/or vertical directions, and a display unit including a display screen whose aspect ratio is longer in the horizontal direction than 16:9 and adapted to display the video extended by the video conversion circuit. The video conversion circuit includes a mode for extending the inputted video at a scaling factor of A, which is equal to or larger than 1, in the horizontal direction and at a scaling factor of B, which is equal to or larger than 1, in the vertical direction, so that videos effectively utilizing the aspect ratio of the video display device can be displayed while reducing incongruous feeling caused by the extension in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A signal transmission apparatus includes: a two-pixel sampling-out control section that maps pixel samples to video data regions; a line sampling-out control section that samples out the pixel samples every other line from each line of the sub-images to which the pixel samples have been mapped, so as to generate an interlace signal; a word sampling-out control section that samples out for each word the pixel samples which have been sampled out for each line so as to be mapped to video data regions of an HD-SDI prescribed by the SMPTE 435-1; and a readout control section that outputs the HD-SDI.

Abstract: When data is an HDTV signal, a buffer memory is used as two banks and pipeline processing is performed. When data is an SDTV signal, on the other hand, the buffer memory is used as a bankless buffer memory, and the pipeline processing is not performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scaling process system including a replay apparatus and a video output apparatus which are connected via a HDMI, wherein each of the video output apparatus and the replay apparatus respectively comprises a between-pixel interpolation method table, wherein the video output apparatus including a request signal transmission device to transmit a request signal, a between-pixel interpolation method information receiving device to receive the between-pixel interpolation method information, a determining device to determine which of between-pixel interpolation method information of the replay apparatus or between-pixel interpolation method information of the video output apparatus is more high-performance, a deciding device to decide an apparatus to be used for the scaling process, and a control device to control the apparatus which is decided by the deciding device so as to carry out the scaling process, and wherein the replay apparatus including a request signal receiving device to receive the reque

Abstract: A video processing device includes a processor, a voltage conversion circuit, and a Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs (SCART) chip. The processor is operable to process video signals, and control a GPIO (general purpose input output) pin to output different mode controlling signals according to different video signal formats. The voltage conversion circuit connected to the GPIO pin is operable to receive the mode controlling signals, and output different voltage signals according to the different format controlling signals. The SCART chip connected to the voltage conversion circuit is operable to receive the video signals and the voltage signals, and process the video signals according to the corresponding voltage signals.

Abstract: A method for efficient digital capturing of analog video signals of computer game consoles is provided. The video format of the signal is changed from 480p to 720p, without any scaling artifacts. The number of active horizontal resolution lines and active vertical resolution lines is reduced in the higher definition space, so that the output picture is a pixel-for-pixel transformed replica of the 480p image.

Abstract: In a method for determining a temporal occlusion cost for a video crop, video image saliency data for a video is received. A video crop is received for a presenting an edited version of the video within a viewing region. The video image saliency data is used to determine a temporal occlusion cost for the video crop.

Abstract: A dynamic region, such as subtitles, is detected in a stream of digital video, and displayed along with a static region also in the stream, such as a video region, so that nearly all of the total vertical display area of a monitor displaying the dynamic and static regions is filled. For example, when the dynamic region is detected, the vertical size of the static region is adjusted to allow the vertical display of the dynamic and static region on the monitor simultaneously, without extending beyond or reducing to less than the total vertical display size of the monitor. Also, when the dynamic region is not detected, the vertical height of the static region is adjusted to fill the total vertical display size. Moreover, iterative increase and decrease in the vertical sizes of the regions may allow for a more pleasant viewer experience.

Abstract: The invention is intended to reduce overall image degradation when frame interpolation is performed by means of an adaptive image compression technique. A compression unit which adaptively compresses input image data, determines an error rate, i.e., a quantity of data loss, depending on input image data. A compression rate is set, depending on the determined error rate (or the quantity of data loss). For an image that is likely to be degraded by compression because of a large error rate determined for it, a process of generating an interpolated image by an interpolated image generating unit is disabled and an original image is used instead of an interpolated frame.

Abstract: It is possible to display a caption with an aspect ratio independent from the aspect ratio of a main video. When a flag indicating that the aspect ratio of the caption is 16:9 is set, the caption video image frame size (720×480) is converted so as to match the aspect ratio of 16:9 and the caption video obtained as the result is superimposed on the main video and displayed. That is, when the main video has an aspect ratio of 4:3, as shown in FIG. 19, reduction in the lateral direction is performed and the main video is displayed with addition of black tone at the right and left but the caption video is displayed with the aspect ratio of 16:9.

Abstract: When a first display device displays image data, a display control apparatus reserves a memory space having the first horizontal pixel number in the storage unit, and sets the frequency of a clock signal supplied to the display control unit to a first frequency. When a second display device displays image data, a display control apparatus reserves a space of the second horizontal pixel number, which is higher than the first horizontal pixel number, and sets the frequency of a clock signal supplied to the display control unit to a second frequency which is higher than the first frequency.

Abstract: An image processing method for converting the frame frequency of a video signal includes a first step for subjecting a video signal having a first frame-frequency to three-times-repeat output and two-times-repeat output of a frame to convert the video signal having the first frame-frequency into a video signal having a second frame-frequency holding a relation of 2:5 as to the first frame-frequency; and a second step for converting the video signal having said second frame-frequency converted in said first step into a video signal having a third frame-frequency holding a relation of 1000:1001 or 1001:1000 as to the second frame-frequency, wherein the second step performs the conversion such that the difference of the number of frames after conversion becomes one or less between a frame group based on the three-times-repeat output frame in the first step, and a frame group based on the two-times-repeat output frame in the first step.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving the visual quality of low-resolution video displayed on large-screen displays. A video format converter may be used to process a low-resolution video signal from a media providing device before the video is displayed. The video format converter may detect the true resolution of the video and deinterlace the video signal accordingly. For low-resolution videos that are also low in quality, the video format converter may reduce compression artifacts and apply techniques to enhance the appearance of the video.

Abstract: High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification, Version 1.2, supports multiple video formats. Currently the HDMI sources and sinks support multiple formats through reconfiguration of the system. The present invention describes the use of a configurable ‘n’בn’ data pixel mapping matrix for video format conversion. This mapping matrix allows the mapping of any existing video format to any other existing or future video format and allows flexibility of connectivity to any transmitter or receiver. Accordingly a more user friendly implementation that provides greater flexibility for development and use of new formats in video applications is shown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for image processing to generate, from a source image having a predefined width to height ratio, called initial ratio, and an information banner having predefined width to height ratio, called banner ratio, a final image having a width called final and a height called final and for which the width to height ratio, called final ratio, is different from the initial ratio, comprising the following steps: determine a ratio called useful according to the final ratio and the banner ratio, extract from the source image a part of the image having a width to height ratio equal to the useful ratio, and generate, from the part of the image extracted and the information banner, a final image comprising in juxtaposition an image representative of the extracted image part having a width to height ratio equal to the useful ratio and an image representative of the information banner having a width to height ratio equal to the banner ratio.

Abstract: The present invention can be implemented in a video coder or decoder or directly in any type of display device. According to the invention, a distance representative of the edge orientation in the input picture is calculated, for at least one point situated inside a zone delimited by a first set of neighbouring pixels of the input picture, it is calculated independently from the grid of pixels of the output picture. For at least one pixel of the output picture situated in this zone, a second set of pixels is determined in the input picture from the distance and the position of said pixel of the output picture in this zone. The value of this output pixel is then determined from the value of the pixels of said second set of pixels. This method enables a reduction in the number of calculations for this format conversion.

Abstract: A portable navigation device with a TV function includes a TV module, a navigation module, a display module, a sound module, a first processing unit, a second processing unit and a TV command storage module. The TV module generates baseband TV signals, the navigation module generates position information, the display module displays image information, the sound module plays sounds, the first processing unit performs navigation programs, the second processing unit performs TV programs, and the TV command storage module stores TV commands from the first processing unit and the second processing unit. TV command transmission between the first processing unit and the second processing unit is achieved by sending interrupt signals or reset signals.

Abstract: An image processing engine, comprising: a frame rate conversion entity configured to: (a) generate output pictures from input pictures, the output pictures comprising a set of first output pictures and a plurality of sets of second output pictures, each set of second output pictures being associated with one of the first output pictures, each of the first output pictures being derived from a respective one of the input pictures; and (b) control generation of the set of second output pictures associated with a particular first output picture based upon repetitive pattern presence detection within a related picture that is either (i) the particular first output picture or (ii) the input picture from which the particular first output picture was derived.

Abstract: This aims at providing an image recording apparatus and an image recording method which can output an image suitable for an aspect ratio of a display screen. When connection history data does not fulfill a predetermined condition, predetermined viewpoint image data is selected as a representative image. On the other hand, when the connection history data fulfills the predetermined condition, image data of a plurality of viewpoints taken by the image pickup units are synthesized to generate panoramic image data horizontally wider than the image data of viewpoints, and the generated image data is set as representative image data. Then, the panoramic image file which includes image data of respective viewpoints as sub-image data as well as the representative image data, is generated in the multi-page format, and is recorded in the memory card.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for adjusting aspect ratios. In an embodiment, the present invention adjusts aspect ratios by (1) receiving a desired aspect ratio; (2) determining an adjustment factor based on the original aspect ratio and the desired aspect ratio; and (3) transforming the screen mechanically from the original aspect ratio to a new aspect ratio, where the new aspect ratio is based on the adjustment factor.

Abstract: A method for efficient digital capturing of analog video signals of computer game consoles is provided. The video format of the signal is changed from 480p to 720p, without any scaling artifacts. The number of active horizontal resolution lines and active vertical resolution lines is reduced in the higher definition space, so that the output picture is a pixel-for-pixel transformed replica of the 480p image.

Abstract: An interface is realized that can prevent video signals from being copied easily and which uses a luminance/color difference signal transmission scheme with an excellent harmony with a television circuit. In a video transmission using a digital interface, colorimetry information for defining the conversion from the luminance/color difference signal into a primary color signal and video aspect ratio information are transmitted along with the luminance/color difference type video signal. This allows reproduction of video with high quality and high resolution and also realizes a copyright protection which allows only the users authorized by key information to use the content of the video. With this transmission scheme, it is possible to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus and an interface which highly harmonize with a rationalized television-based circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video signal processing method and a video signal processing apparatus. The video signal processing apparatus receives a picture datum, which includes M×N pixel data, wherein a scan orientation of the pixel data includes M pixel data. The video signal processing apparatus includes a horizontal scaling unit and a timing control unit. The horizontal scaling unit scales the pixel data of the scan orientation of the picture datum to obtain P pixel data. The timing control unit transfers the P pixel data to a scan-line signal of the video signal, determines the number of times of outputting the scan-line signal according to a ratio of Q to N, sequentially outputs the scan-line signal according to the number of times of outputting the scan-line signal and thus outputs the video signal with a resolution of P×Q.

Abstract: A moving image encoding apparatus includes a first-step encoding section for executing a plurality of times first-step encoding by use of different quantization control variables; a code-amount estimation section for estimating, for all the quantization control variables, an amount of codes generated for each frame by making use of a plurality of results of the encoding; a code-amount allocation section for allocating an amount of codes for each frame on the basis of results of the estimation; and a second-step encoding section for executing second-step encoding on the basis of the amount of codes allocated to each frame. The first-step encoding section changes the number of times of execution of the encoding in accordance with the attribute of each frame, and omits a portion of processes contained in the coding process in the second and subsequent executions of the encoding process.

Abstract: An apparatus processes video signals containing video information related to a scene which may contain a vehicle license plate. The apparatus includes a video camera having a video imaging device for viewing the scene and generating a first video signal. A character detector in the video camera processes the first video signal to detect a license plate within the scene and to generate location information indicating the location of the license plate. A line detector in the camera determines a particular video line of the first video signal into which the location information is to be embedded. An insertion circuit in the camera embeds the location information into the particular video line of the first video signal to form a second video signal. The apparatus may also include a video capture device for receiving the second video signal from the video camera and converting the second video signal into digital image data.

Abstract: A video format conversion method and concomitant computer software stored on a computer-readable medium comprising receiving a video stream comprising a plurality of frames in a first format, converting the video stream to a second format in approximately real time, and outputting the video stream in the second format, and wherein the converting step employs a hierarchical block true motion estimator.

Abstract: A method and system for processing video data using multi-pixel scaling in a memory system are provided. The multi-pixel scaling may include reading pixel data for one or more data streams from the memory system into one or more scalers, wherein each of the plurality of data streams includes a plurality of pixels, scaling the pixel via the one or more scalers and outputting the scaled pixels from the one or more scalers. Pixel data may be sequential or parallel. The plurality of scalers may be in parallel, scaling sequential pixel data with independent phase control, or scaling parallel pixel data in substantially equal phase. Pixel data may be transposed, replicated, distributed and aligned prior to reading by scalers, and may be aligned merged and transposed after scaling. Scaling may include interpolation or sub sampling using pixel phase, position, step size and scaler quantities.

Abstract: Processing a video stream using upon Program Clock References (PCRs) contained therein in preparation for transmission to a wireless device. Operation includes receiving video frames of the video stream, buffering the video frames, and extracting PCRs from at least some of the video frames of the video stream. Operation further includes, based upon at least the values of the PCRs, determining transmission parameters, and transmitting video frames of the video stream to the wireless device according to the transmission parameters. Operation may further include determining a round trip delay of transmissions to the wireless device and acknowledgements from the wireless device, adjusting PCRs of at least some video frames of the video stream based upon the round trip delay, and transmitting the video frames of the video stream to the wireless device.

Abstract: A letterbox detector includes a detection module configured to determine aspect ratio changes in an input signal. A transition module is configured to transition between a plurality of display modes associated with the aspect ratio changes. A first display mode to a second display mode transition is performed over a first period of time, and a second display mode to a first display mode is performed gradually over a second period of time, that is different from the first period of time. The letterbox detector may be included in digital and analog displays.

Abstract: To eliminate a signal deviation that occurs when scaling processing is performed on image data including multiple signals having different data rates, there is provided an image processing apparatus which performs scaling processing on image data including multiple signals having different data rates and includes a first scaling processing unit that performs a first scaling processing according to a first scale factor in a first area; and a second scaling processing unit that performs a second scaling processing subsequent to the first scaling processing, according to a second scale factor in a second area adjacent to the first area, on a signal having a high data rate using the first scale factor, and performs the second scaling processing on a signal having a low data rate using the second scale factor obtained by correcting the first scale factor, after the first scaling processing.

Abstract: In a method of automatically identifying a format of a video signal, where the video signal includes HSync pulses, VSync pulses, and video display data, the video signal is received, information about timing and width characteristics of the HSync pulses and the VSync pulses is extracted from the video signal, and the format of the video signal is determined based on the extracted information.

Abstract: Multiple video streams, or other image information, from a DVD or other single source are selectively directed among two or more display screens. The video streams can be directed automatically, manually or by a combination of automatic and manual techniques. This allows the streams to be viewed simultaneously on different display screens to, e.g., increase the viewing area, provide selectable enhancement and control of video viewing, or for other purposes.