Abstract: This invention discloses an image pickup device and an image synthesis method thereof The image pickup device comprises an image-pickup module, an image-synthesis module, a database and a processing module. The image-pickup module captures a plurality of temporary images of a scene. The image-synthesis module extracts a part of each temporary image and combines the parts to form a panorama temporary image, and splits the panorama temporary image into a plurality of zone-areas according to at least one threshold value and a panorama luminosity histogram. The database stores a lookup table for recording a plurality of exposure values. The plurality of the exposure values correspond to luminance values of the zone-areas respectively. The processing module obtains the plurality of exposure values corresponding to the luminance values and obtains a weighting-exposure value by an equation, and controls the image-pickup module to capture the panorama image according to the weighting-exposure value.

Abstract: There is provided a delta-sigma A/D converter including a first integrator, a second integrator located on an output side of the first integrator, a quantizer located on an output side of the second integrator, and a first current D/A converter receiving an output of the quantizer and providing a negative feedback signal to an input side of the quantizer.

Abstract: Input image information is received. A processor device is used for determining enhancement information based on frequency characteristics and feature information of the input image information. The enhancement information is mixed with the input image information to generate an enhanced image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for upscaling a digital image. A digital image to be upscaled is accessed, where the digital image comprises a plurality of pixel values. A first half pixel value is computed for a first point in the digital image based on a plurality of pixel values of the digital image surrounding the first point and an activity level. A second half pixel value is computed for a second point in the digital image, and an interpolated pixel of an upscaled version of the digital image is determined using a plurality of the pixel values, the first half pixel value, and the second half pixel value.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating text descriptive data has a receiving device that receives a data signal having text description data corresponding to a description of a video signal. A text-to-speech converter associated with the receiving device converts the text description data to a first audio signal. A display device in communication with the text-to-speech converter converts the first audio signal associated with the receiving device to an audible signal.

Abstract: A method for capturing video frames from a plurality of video channels is provided. A list of a least two descriptors is formed for each of the plurality of video channels in a memory accessible to a direct memory access (DMA) engine, wherein each of the two or more descriptors for each channel is programmed to define a storage location for a sequential frame of video data for the channel. A sequence of video frames is received from the plurality of video channels, wherein for each channel, video frames are received at a frame rate for that channel. A DMA engine uses descriptors from the list to store video frames as they are received. The list is updated periodically to replace used descriptors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video processor includes an input module and a display controller. The input module is configured to input a plurality of first video signals compliant with a video having a first resolution, and to be able to input a second video signal compliant with a video having a second resolution higher than the first resolution instead of at least one of the first video signals. The display controller is configured to perform control to display the input first video signals in domains into which a display screen compliant with the second resolution is divided. The display controller is configured to perform control to display the input second video signal on the whole display screen.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes an initial detecting module, a mixer, a symbol rate detecting module, a judging module and a correcting module. The initial detecting module determines an initial carrier frequency offset of an input signal according to a spectrum of the input signal. The mixer adjusts the input signal according to the initial carrier frequency offset to generate a frequency-compensated signal. The symbol rate detecting module determines a symbol rate of the input signal. The judging module judges whether the initial carrier frequency offset is correct according to the frequency-compensated signal. When a judgment result of the judging module is negative, the correcting module determines a corrected carrier frequency offset according to the symbol rate and the spectrum.

Abstract: Frequency domain sample adaptive offset (SAO). Video processing of a first signal operates to generate a second video signal such that at least one characteristic of a first portion of video information of the first video signal is replicated in generating a second portion of video information, such that the first portion of video information and the second portion of video information undergo combination to generate the second video signal. Such use of the first video signal may involve replication and scaling of the first video information to generate the second portion of video information. One possible characteristic of the first portion of video information may correspond to an energy profile as a function of frequency. One or more portions of the first video signal may be employed to generate different respective portions of the second signal. Such video processing operations may be performed on a block by block basis.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for mixing compressed digital bit streams are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises acquiring a frame associated with a first compressed digital bit stream, unpacking the frame to obtain a plurality of original transform coefficient sets, and modifying the plurality of original transform coefficient sets to mix a second digital bit stream with the first compressed digital bit stream.

Abstract: This invention allows the application software to submit multiple (N) frames belonging to different and/or same channels in one submission. The driver maintains a request queue and serializes requests and manages the hardware utilization. The driver informs the software through a callback function when the entire submission has been serviced.

Abstract: A circuit that supports multiple monitors, docking functions, and protected content via one cable. The circuit includes a receiver that receives multiple video streams, each including respective video data, a mux/demux, coupled to the receiver, that determines which video stream to display on a monitor, a display interface coupled to the first mux/demux, wherein the display interface is configured to generate output signals based on the video data of the determined video stream to be displayed on the first monitor, a transmitter coupled to the mux/demux, and a transmit physical interface (TPI) coupled to the transmitter. The mux/demux sends at least a remainder of the video streams to the transmitter, which sends them to the TPI, which transmits them as output, useable as input to further instances of the circuit.

Abstract: A method for capturing video frames from a plurality of video channels is provided. A list of a least two descriptors is formed for each of the plurality of video channels in a memory accessible to a direct memory access (DMA) engine, wherein each of the two or more descriptors for each channel is programmed to define a storage location for a sequential frame of video data for the channel. A sequence of video frames is received from the plurality of video channels, wherein for each channel, video frames are received at a frame rate for that channel. A DMA engine uses descriptors from the list to store video frames as they are received. The list is updated periodically to replace used descriptors.

Abstract: A driver for operating an electronic device including a program controlled data processor and video processing hardware responsive to requests to perform operations on video frames is provided. A frame list is formed with pointers to a plurality of buffers for a corresponding plurality of video channels. A request is formed by an application program running on the data processor for a first operation on each of the plurality of frames in the first frame list. The request of the application program and the first frame list is submitted to a driver for the video processing hardware for the plurality of channels. A notification is received from the driver when the video processing hardware has completed the operation on less than all of the plurality of frames.

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: An image-signal processing unit comprising a first and second luminance calculation block, a correction-value calculation block, and a subtraction block, is provided. The first luminance calculation block calculates a first luminance corresponding to the sum of a plurality of primary color light components. Each of them is multiplied by a coefficient from a first coefficient combination. The second luminance calculation block calculates a second luminance corresponding to the sum of a plurality of the primary color light components. Each of them is multiplied by a coefficient from a second coefficient combination. The correction-value calculation block calculates a luminance correction value according to the second luminance if the first luminance is greater than a threshold value. The subtraction block calculates a corrected luminance by subtracting the luminance correction value from the first luminance.

Abstract: A circuit that supports multiple monitors, docking functions, and protected content via one cable. The circuit includes a receiver that receives multiple video streams, each including respective video data, a mux/demux, coupled to the receiver, that determines which video stream to display on a monitor, a low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) converter, coupled to the mux/demux, that generates an LVDS signal based on the video data of the determined video stream, an LVDS serializer/deserializer, coupled to the LVDS converter, that generates a signal based on the LVDS signal and sends the signal to a display panel of the monitor for display, a transmitter coupled to the mux/demux, and a transmit physical interface (TPI) coupled to the transmitter. The mux/demux sends at least a remainder of the video streams to the transmitter, which sends them to the TPI, which transmits them as output, useable as input to further instances of the circuit.

Abstract: A filter for processing a digital TV composite signal having a video component and an audio component includes a digital video filter and a digital audio filter. The digital video filter includes a lowpass finite impulse response (FIR) filter, an up-mixer, an asymmetric filter for compensating a Nyquist slope of the video component, and a down-mixer connected in this order. The digital audio filter includes an audio down-mixer, a decimated FIR filter, an enhancing FIR filter, an interpolated FIR filter, and an audio up-mixer. These components are connected in series. Optionally, the decimating FIR filter is decimated by an integer decimation factor M, and the interpolated FIR filter is interpolated by an integer factor N. The integer M and N may have the same value.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for presenting non-common content in association with common content to end users. A television receiver receives common content as well as one or more portions of non-common content. The television receiver determines whether to present the non-common content based on criteria associated with the non-common content and parameters associated with the television receiver. As appropriate, the non-common content may be overlaid onto the common content, presenting the user with content that may be localized or otherwise personalized for the user.

Abstract: A device for providing a video signal of a virtual image based on a real image of a camera, the real image having an object, includes a processing device. One piece of positional information each is associated with the camera and the object. The processing device generates the video signal of the virtual image based on the real image, the positional information of the camera and the positional information of the object. The virtual image includes an illustration of the object or object information with regard to the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reproducing an audio, video or data signal. The signal may be a digital input with each segment of the signal being broadcast at least two times, which broadcast transmissions are at time spaced intervals. The time spaced transmissions are stored in at least one RAM, and the multiple transmissions are processed to obtain an enhanced output for each segment, which is applied to a receiver for reproduction. For example, the multiple transmissions for each segment may be compared, and the best transmission for the segment selected as the enhanced output for the segment.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for processing digital communication signals. An exemplary system comprises a first input adapted to receive a first digital communication signal, a second input adapted to receive a second digital communication signal, an upconverter adapted to generate a multichannel digital signal that incorporates data corresponding to the first digital signal at a first frequency and data corresponding to the second digital signal at a second frequency, and a digital-to-analog converter adapted to convert the multichannel digital signal to a multichannel analog signal.

Abstract: A multiple-format video encoder stores values of the sine and cosine functions in a ROM. According to the externally specified video format, an address calculating circuit calculates the addresses at which to access the ROM. In the multiple-format video encoder, a luminance/color-difference signal generating circuit generates color-difference signals B-Y and R-Y from digital RGB signals. A first multiplying circuit multiplies the color-difference signal B-Y by the values of the sine function stored in the ROM at the addresses specified by the address calculating circuit and multiplies the color-difference signal R-Y by the values of the cosine function stored at the same addresses.

Abstract: According to the signal processing apparatus of the present invention, in a text signal processing circuit, predetermined signal processes are executed to a luminance signal Y and color difference signals U and V in which a ratio of sampling clocks is equal to (4:4:4) and resultant signals are supplied to a mixing circuit. In a video signal processing circuit, predetermined signal processes are executed to the signals Y, U, and V in which a ratio of sampling clocks is equal to (4:1:1) or (4:2:2). The signal Y is supplied to the mixing circuit through a delay adjusting circuit and the high frequency components are removed from the signals U and V by a band limiting filter and, after that, the resultant signals are supplied to the mixing circuit. The signal mixed by the mixing circuit is supplied to a LPF through a D/A converter. In the LPF, the signal is demodulated by the band limiting filter according to (4:4:4).

Abstract: Device and method for decoding a television video signal are suggested. The device includes a tint controller and a color space converter. The tint controller converts a plurality of color space converting coefficients which is used for converting color space signals into R, G, B signals into tint considered coefficients having a tint control considered. On the other hand, the color space converter produces the R, G, B signal displayable on a monitor by using the tint considered coefficients from the tint controller and the color space signals.

Abstract: A digital video signal processing system which includes a scaler converting a video signal having a luminance signal and chrominance signals into a digital RGB signal, further including a hue adjusting part adjusting hue represented by the chrominance signals; wherein the scaler includes an operating part operating a rotational transfer matrix rotation-transforming color coordinates of the chrominance signals according to an adjusting value inputted through the hue adjusting part. Accordingly, a digital video signal processing system and method, in which rotational transform of color coordinates is accomplished by a rotational transfer matrix prior to a color transfer matrix of a scaler without a hardware component therefor is provided.

Abstract: A broadcasting receiver comprises a digital tuner and an analog tuner. An OSD circuit and an adder add video data such as characters produced in the receiver to received video data on a channel tuned in to by the digital tuner. A video analog-to-digital processor converts a received video signal on a channel tuned in to by the analog tuner into digital received video data, and the OSD circuit and the adder similarly add the video data such as characters produced in the receiver to the received video data.

Abstract: A color picture display apparatus employs an array of light-emitting diodes or other light-emitting elements emitting different colors. A television signal is converted to monochromatic signals of the different colors. A color converter modifies the monochromatic signals, thereby changing the displayed hues to match the hues that would be displayed on a television screen, to compensate for ambient lighting conditions, or to achieve other desired effects. If each picture element has only a single light-emitting element, the modification preferably avoids unlit gaps in monochromatic areas of the displayed picture.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a hue adjusting device and a hue adjusting method that adjust finely the hue of a color image signal. The CPU calculates an off set matrix B that is in a pair with an off set matrix A to a central matrix X when the matrix X and the off set matrix A are inputted from an operating part. Then the CPU carries out the following operation when a parameter a is inputted from the operating part. X′=(a·A+(1−a)B)/2 It is possible to execute matrix conversion to adjust the hue by setting a matrix coefficient of each component of the matrix X′ the multiplication circuits.

Abstract: A chrominance signal processing apparatus in a video signal processing system which has a simple configuration capable of achieving chrominance signal control and RGB transform functions using a single circuit.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for reducing the number of look-up tables when converting digitized luminance-chrominance color space signals to digitized RGB color space signals, first, second, third and fourth matrix multiplication operations of the digitized chrominance color space signals are performed. The first matrix multiplication operation has a first result to be used in conversion for the digitized R color space signal. The second and third matrix multiplication operations have second and third results to be used in conversion for the digitized G color space signal. The fourth matrix multiplication operation has a fourth result to be used in conversion for the B color space signal. One of the first and fourth matrix multiplication operations, and one of the second and third matrix multiplication operations are associated with the same one of the digitized chrominance color space signals and are jointly implemented in a single look-up table unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitizing multiple data streams having different clocks spreads an error due to clock drift is spread across many clock cycles in extremely small amounts. To combine two data streams, the method interpolates one or more samples between existing samples of one of the two data streams and then adjusts a number of samples of said one of the two data streams to maintain balance in a downstream synchronizing buffer. This occurs prior to combining the two data streams. The adjusting may be performed by adding or decimating samples from the interpolated samples. To combine two asynchronous data streams having clocks offset in frequency, first, a first data stream is clocked into and out of a first buffer using a first clock associated with the first data stream. Second, a second data stream is clocked into a second buffer using a second clock associated with the second data stream and clocking the second data stream out of the second buffer using the first clock.

Abstract: A digital TV display device and method is disclosed including a display control unit providing selection signals, a look-up table unit having at least two look-up tables wherein at least one of the look-up tables is operative in a read mode and the other is operative in a write mode in response to the selection signals, and a look-up table selection unit forwarding a data read from the at least one look-up table operative in the read mode in response to the selection signals for displaying.

Abstract: A simplified Y/C separation circuit in which, a plurality of luminance signals are calculated for the subject pixel based on an NTSC signal of the subject pixel and NTSC signals of pixels that are close to the subject pixel spatially or temporally. Correlations between the plurality of luminance signals are obtained in a difference circuit and a comparison circuit. In a classification circuit, classification is performed, that is, the subject pixel is classified as belonging to a certain class, based on the correlations between the plurality of luminance signals. Prediction coefficients corresponding to the class of the subject pixel are read out from a prediction coefficients memory section. The RGB luminance signals of the subject pixel are then determined by calculating prescribed linear first-order formulae.

Abstract: A method of providing conversion from YUV signals to RGB signals includes the steps of determining a correspondence value between each of the Y. U, and V pixel values and the corresponding one of the R, G, and B pixel values. Three tables are generated; a Y table, a U table and a V table. During operation, each table may then be easily accessed by indexing the table with the respective Y, U or V input, to provide R,G,B data. The method may be used in a 64 bit embodiment using two registers or one register. Alternatively, the method may be used in a 32 bit embodiment. The conversion method can easily be augmented to provide color adjustment during conversion without any added complexity.

Abstract: In a process for color transformation from the input-side primaries (R, G, B) to image-side primaries (R", G", B") with a greater color stimulus specification region than that given by the input-side primaries (R, G, B), a color transformation is carried out by converting the components of a color vector from the input-side primaries to fictitious primaries (R', G', B') so that the color stimulus specification of the color vector is changed, and transforming of the converted components of the color vector from the fictitious primaries (R', G', B') to the image-side primaries (R", G", B") for generating image-side components of the color vector, wherein the image-side color stimulus specifications produced in this way have the same hue and the same saturation as the transformed color stimulus specification in the fictitious primary system (R', G', B').

Abstract: A video-input stream to a personal computer (PC) is converted from YUV format to RGB format. Two look-up tables are used. One look-up table has the Y and V components as address inputs, while the other look-up table has Y and U components as address inputs. The address inputs select one data word in the table for the Y,V or Y,U pair. Each data word contains an exact conversion to either the red component R or the blue component B since the result of the functions R=Y+1.371*V is stored in one table while the result of the function B=Y+1.732*U is stored in the other table. Each table also contains a partial green component in each data word. The Y,U table contains the result of the partial-green function (Y/2-0.698*V) in each data word, while the other table contains the result of the partial-green function (Y/2-0.336*U). An adder adds the two partial-green results from the two tables to produce the green component G.

Abstract: A device and method for generating a composite color signal are disclosed. The device includes a first memory unit for storing digital cosine data, a second memory unit for storing digital sine data, a first arithmetic unit for multiplying digital color difference data Cr input thereto with the digital cosine data, a second arithmetic unit for multiplying digital color difference data Cb input thereto with the digital sine data, and an adder for adding outputs of the first and arithmetic units to generate a digital composite color signal. The method includes the steps of storing digital cosine data and sine data in at least one of first and second memories, modulating digital color data using the stored digital sine and cosine data, and generating a composite color signal using the modulated digital color data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the processing speed or decreasing circuit complexity (or both) of a digital image processor by eliminating the conventional multiplication operation from the RGB to YUV and YUV to RGB transforms having NTSC compatible equation coefficients. In particular, the change of color-basis matrix for converting RGB data to obtain YUV data is factored into a scale factor and a coefficient matrix. The coefficient matrix contains coefficients such that its product with the RGB input vector can be performed using only seven binary additions and five shift operations. This process effectively removes the conventional multiplication operations from the RGB to YUV conversion. The scale factor is conveniently absorbed into the quantization of the YUV data before transmission. The quantization process includes a multiplication already and the two multiplication steps are folded into one step.

Abstract: A method for automatic merging two images having overlapped parts for a handy scanner. The method starts from defining a meaningful sample in a first image using fuzzy logic. Then, a two level searches based on A* algorithm are executed thereafter to find a match point in the second image. After the match point is found, the two images are stitched together using linear interpolation.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog video encoder method and apparatus having unique equalization are disclosed. The encoder converts digital video signals into one or more analog video formats using one or more digital-to-analog converters. Equalization is provided to compensate for zero order hold effects of the digital-to-analog converters. Equalization is provided to a luminance signal and/or a chroma signal to equalize RGB, composite video, and super VHS video outputs. Multiplexed digital-to-analog converter inputs allow selection of several output formats.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for smoothing out high frequency information in an interlaced computer generated display. A computer generated RGB signal is converted into a YUV signal, which is separated into its Y, U, and V components. The Y component is convolved by averaging a current scan line with a line above and a line below the current scan line so that black lines are lightened and white lines are darkened, thus avoiding flicker. Since convolution is only performed on the Y part of the YUV signal, only two line buffers, each having a width equal to the number of bits in the Y component only, are required.

Abstract: In a color video signal processing method, color difference component signals are converted into RGB component signals by a digital to digital conversion so as to reduce a size of a processing unit used for the conversion. An analog composite signal is converted into analog color difference component signals. The analog color difference component signals are then converted into digital color difference component signals. The digital color difference component signals are converted into digital RGB component signals by a digital to digital conversion based on an approximation method. Finally, the digital RGB component signals are converted into analog RGB component signals. The digital-to-digital conversion may be performed in accordance with equations in which each factor is a fractional number having a denominator of a power of 2.

Abstract: A color space converter is implemented using current mode analog circuitry to efficiently transform video data from a YC.sub.b C.sub.r format to an RGB format in order to allow the display of video signals on a color monitor. The analog current-mode circuitry is implemented in an integrated circuit that will operate at high clock rates and can be integrated in a small die area so as to reduce its cost. The color space converter includes Y, C.sub.b and C.sub.r current-mode conversion circuits to compute Y, C.sub.b and C.sub.r contributions to the G, R and B signals, and current-mode adders that add those contributions to the G, R and B signals to generate the G, R and B signals. Each conversion circuit includes (A) a respective folded cascode structure having an input coupled to a respective analog Y, C.sub.b or C.sub.r signal, each conversion circuit generating a respective Y, C.sub.b or C.sub.r current output; (B) at least one respective current mirror that generates from the Y, C.sub.b or C.sub.

Abstract: An encoder converts digital RGB signals into analog television signals. This encoder forms digital composite, luminance and chrominance signals based on digital signals input through an RGB input terminal. The encoder has a first, a second and a third D/A converters for converting digital composite, luminance and chrominance signals into corresponding analog signals. The encoder is provided with a switch for activating required ones of the three D/A converters and deactivating others of the D/A converters.

Abstract: An image processing system and method capable of reducing hardware scale to improve processing speed. The G conversion section includes a third product producer for producing a third product from a first intermediate product corresponding to a first common partial bit string of multipliers of a color difference Cr for R and G conversions, and a fourth product producer for producing a fourth product from a second intermediate product corresponding to a second common partial bit string of multipliers of a color difference Cb for B and G conversions, and intermediate calculation data of a fixed factor multiplication of the color difference Cr for the R data conversion and intermediate calculation data of a fixed factor multiplication of the color difference Cb for the B data conversion are utilized for the conversion calculation of the data G.

Abstract: A digital encoder includes a matrix circuit for synthesizing chrominance signals R-Y and B-Y based on RGB signals sampled at a predetermined sampling frequency which is an integral multiple of a chrominance subcarrier; low-pass filters; a delay circuit; a switch circuit for reducing a frequency of an output from the low-pass filters; a digital modulator for subjecting a chrominance subcarrier to quadrature two-phase balanced modulation using an output signal from the switch circuit so as to output a chrominance signal having a sampling frequency 1/m that of the predetermined sampling frequency; a sampling frequency conversion circuit for multiplying the sampling frequency of the chrominance signal by a factor of m so as to output a chrominance signal having the predetermined sampling frequency; and an adder for computing a sum of the luminance signal delayed by the delay circuit, the chrominance signals output by the sampling frequency conversion circuit and a composite synchronizing signal so as to synthesiz

Abstract: A system and method for generating gamma-predistorted video signals. A close approximation to the ideal gamma predistorted values of Y, Cr and Cb video signal components are generated from linear camera or computer output signals using at most a single matrix multiplication, one channel of inverse gamma function generation (on the luminance component) and two table look up operations. The linear luminance value is predistorted by an inverse gamma function. If they are not available from the video source, a matrix multiplication is used to generate linear luminance and chrominance signals. The linear chrominance signals are then adjusted for their dependence on luminance using a two-dimensional table look-up. The lookup table(s) is (are) addressed by the linear luminance value and by each of the linear chrominance values to produce gamma-predistorted Cr and Cb signals from the tables.

Abstract: A processing system operates on data words each having first and second portions. A first memory stores the first portion of a first data word accessible by a first set of address bits received at first address inputs and a second set of address bits received at second address inputs, and stores the second portion of a second word accessible by the first set of address bits received at the first address inputs and a third set of address bits received at the second address inputs. A second memory stores the first portion of the second data word accessible by a first set of address bits received at first address inputs and a second set of bits received at second address input, and stores the second portion of the first word accessible by the first set of address bits received at the first address inputs and a third set of address bits received at the second address inputs. A first access mode accesses a selected one of the first and second portions of both the first and second words.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing color space conversion between digitized YCbCr components and digitized RGB components uses a color lookup table unit which is provided with transformation component values based on a selected one of two sets of conversions. A plurality of adders are coupled to the lookup table unit so as to receive the outputs thereof and generate individual color components of converted space by adding the transformation component values corresponding to each of the individual color components of converted space relative to the color components of original space.