Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an image processing method, the method comprising: acquiring a plurality of viewpoint images; generating a contrast distribution from the plurality of viewpoint images; and generating an output image by performing image processing in accordance with the contrast distribution with respect to an image based on the plurality of viewpoint images.

Abstract: An operating system extension is used to implement embedded information on a DVD. The operating system extension examines DVD sector addresses requested from the DVD hardware. When address associated with an embedded link is requested, an application program that can run the embedded link is started, and the embedded link is provided to the application program. The system of the present invention has the advantage that it does not require modifying the DVD software program and thus can be used with a variety of different DVD software programs.

Abstract: To store information in a ferroelectric material, a sample probe is used to bring about mechanical action on individual domains and thereby to cause a reversal of polarization in the individual domains, with electrodes situated below the ferroelectric material being able to have a bias applied to them to stabilize the change/reversal of polarization. The reversal of polarization causes an alteration in the surface topography of the ferroelectric material, and this alteration can be used to read the information. The stored information is therefore obtained by ascertaining the surface topography of the ferroelectric material. The information is written and read using an AFM tip, with the tip being able to be operated in contact or tapping mode for the purpose of writing, and additionally in noncontact mode for the purpose of reading.

Abstract: A focus detection device is disclosed that establishes a focus detection algorithm range on photoelectric conversion element arrays and detects the contrast distribution of the output signal strings of the arrays corresponding to this algorithm range. Moreover, the focus detection device determines transformation coefficients for the algorithm range based on a detected contrast distribution and coefficients predefined for some of a plurality of photo-electric conversion elements of the photo-electric conversion element arrays. The focus detection device computes the relative shift amount of the output signal strings corresponding to the algorithm range, and converts the shift amount into a defocus amount of a shooting lens based on the determined transfer coefficients.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a range finder utilizing a line sensor of charge accumulation type, wherein photosensitive monitoring means is provided to monitor luminance of a scene to be photographed, an appropriate amplification factor is selected on the basis of integral value of charge accumulated by the photosensitive monitoring means, a video signal output from the line sensor and reflecting the luminance of the scene is amplified at the selected amplification factor, then the amplified video signal is computed and thereby a period required for charge accumulation in the line sensor is shorten independently of the scene's luminance.