Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America

Masao Hamada

Tadanori Tezuka

Tsuyoshi Nakamura

Ikuo Fuchigami

Koji Kai

Toru Matsunobu

Takashi Yamamoto

Takashi Hashimoto

Tokuzo Kiyohara

Hideyuki Nakamura

Akihiko Inoue

Kouji Okamoto

Satoshi Sakaguchi

Kouichi Nagano

Kenji Takita

Shun-ichi Kurohmaru

An image processing apparatus including a memory and a processor is provided. The image processing apparatus is configured to perform selecting one of data compression processing modes in response to a user input, and executing, according to the selected data compression processing mode, data compression processing on an input captured image based on an inter-frame prediction. The image processing apparatus is further configured perform generating a compressed image from the executed data compression processing. A group of pictures with respect to the generated compressed image is different according to the data compression processing modes. When receiving a request for acquiring vital information from a person captured in the input captured image, one of the data compression processing modes is selected so that the generated compressed image is configured by I pictures only.

Image processing apparatus and pulse estimation system provided therewith, and image processing method

Identification medium recognition device () includes image input () that acquires a captured image imaged by an imaging device, identification medium region detector () that detects a region of the identification medium from the captured image, identification medium recognizer () that recognizes the character and/or the numeric character included in the identification medium from the region of the identification medium, super-resolution processor () that selectively performs super-resolution processing of the region of the identification medium, region storage () that stores a preset region in the captured image, identification medium region determiner () that determines whether the region of the identification medium is positioned within the preset region, and super-resolution processing selector () that selects, in a case where it is determined that the region of the identification medium is positioned within the preset region, execution of super-resolution processing by the super-resolution processor.

Identification medium recognition device and identification medium recognition method

Image processing apparatus is provided with data compression processing unit that executes data compression processing on an input captured image based on inter-frame prediction; and operation-mode selection unit that is capable of selecting one of a first operation mode for normal imaging and a second operation mode for pulse estimation based on a command from a user. In a case where the second operation mode is selected, data compression processing unit sets an interval between I pictures constituting a compressed image generated by the data compression processing to an interval to be different from that in a case where the first operation mode is selected.

There is provided is a method for enhancing a video image capable of achieving high image quality improvement for both a texture area and an edge area. A maximum limit value and a minimum limit value of a video signal value enhanced on the basis of a pixel signal value in an area set around the target pixel are calculated, the maximum limit value and the minimum limit value are corrected according to a texture value calculated as a scale value that indicates a variation of the pixel signal value in the corresponding area, and the corrected maximum limit value and minimum limit value are applied to the enhanced video signal value.

Video image enhancement method

An image noise removing apparatus which removes, after removal of noise from a first image, noise included in a second image includes: a spatial noise removing unit executing an operation for removing the noise included in the second image using a pixel value included in the second image, thereby generating a spatial noise-free image; a reliability calculating unit calculating a reliability indicating how dynamic the second image is, based on the spatial noise-free image, the second image, and a first noise-free image which is generated from the first image with the noise therein removed; and a temporal blending unit performing, based on the reliability, a weighted summation on the second image and the first noise-free image, thereby removing the noise included in the second image.

Image noise removing apparatus and image noise removing method

Included are (a) performing processes on second training data items stored in a training database to generate third training data items each obtained through a corresponding one of the processes, (b) selecting, from among the third training data items generated in step (a), a selection data item having a highest similarity to a feature data item of the input image, (c) generating a high-frequency data item by: determining (i) the second training data item used in generating the selection data item and (ii) a first process performed on the second training data item to generate the selection data item; and performing the first process on the first training data item that is paired with the determined second training data item; and (d) generating an output image by adding an image indicated by the high-frequency data item to the input image.

Image processing method, and image processor

An image processing device preventing the effect of noise from restricting the processing range of the super resolution process. The image processing device classifies each of a plurality of pieces of input pixel data that represent the input image into high-frequency region data or non-high-frequency region data, and generates, as at least part of output pixel data that represents the output image, one or more pieces of output pixel data in correspondence with one or more pieces of input pixel data classified as the high-frequency region data, by using the super resolution process data in accordance with amounts of noise of the one or more pieces of input pixel data.

Image processing device, image processing method, and integrated circuit in which super resolution process data is output as output data for input pixel data that is classified as high-frequency region data and that has noise less than or equal to a threshold

A spatial noise reducing sectioncalculates a spatial NR pixel value Snr by reducing spatial noise from an input pixel value Pin. A temporal noise reducing sectioncalculates a temporal NR pixel value Tnr by reducing temporal noise from the input pixel value Pin. A temporal noise reduction result determining sectioncompares the magnitude of the pixel values among the input pixel value Pin, the spatial NR pixel value Snr, and the temporal NR pixel value Tnr, and outputs, based on the comparison result, one of the pixel values as a noise reduction result (an output pixel value Pout). Thus, it is made possible to perform strong temporal noise reduction on a moving image while preventing generation of residual images in a motion image area.

Apparatus and method for reducing image noise

A moving picture coding method, a moving picture decoding method, a moving picture coding device, and a moving picture decoding device perform skipped display even in a moving picture decoding device having insufficient processing capability and while suppressing an increase in an amount of coded data. A plurality of combined pictures are generated each of which is generated by combining a plurality of pictures into a combined picture having the plurality of pictures as regions. The plurality of the combined pictures is coded and a slice boundary between the regions is set in the combined picture. For each of the plurality of combined pictures, when the combined picture has one or more to-be-displayed region except at least one not-to-be-displayed region, the to-be-displayed region is coded with reference to only a to-be-displayed region of another combined picture. The one or more to-be-displayed region is displayed for skipped reproduction.

Moving picture coding method, moving picture decoding method, moving picture coding device, and moving picture decoding device

The decode control unit () has control over a video decode unit () so as to cause the video decode unit (), which decoded images obtained from respective normal coded data items and high-speed coded data items, to start decoding of some of the normal coded data items with timings which are ahead of predetermined timings so that the video decode unit () starts decoding of the beginning one of the high-speed coded data items with a timing which is ahead of a predetermined timing by a period of time necessary for the display unit () to display the images sequentially.

Video reproduction apparatus, digital camera, semiconductor integrated circuit, and method for video reproduction

A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a logic circuit unit, a signal control unit, a first signal selecting unit to a third signal selecting unit, and a first element electrode to a fourth element electrode. A part of signal lines of the logic circuit unit is connectable to different element electrodes, in accordance with the operating state of the logic circuit unit. The signal control unit generates connection information related to the connection of the signal lines to the element electrodes, thereafter sending the connection information to an external LSI. The connection is made after a retaining period, during which the element electrode concerned is maintained at high impedance, thereby avoiding unexpected failure. According to the present structure, the number of element electrodes required by the semiconductor integrated circuit can be reduced.

Semiconductor integrated circuit, electronic device using the same, and controlling method of semiconductor integrated circuit

A power management system for an integrated circuit has a signal line, a management data generating unit connected to the signal line, and a plurality of management data using units each connected to the signal line. The management data generating unit outputs, to the signal line, power management data for managing power consumption in each of the management data using units, the power management data corresponding to the state of the management data generating unit. Each of the management data using units reads the power management data for common use from the signal line and controls power consumed by the management data using unit based on the power management data.

Decentralized power management system for integrated circuit using local power management units that generate control signals based on common data

When picture information of a user's party, enlarged and pivoted at an angle of some 90 degrees, is displayed on an image display of a cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus of a user, which has been pivoted at an angle of nearly 90 degrees in an either clockwise or counter clockwise direction of the user's cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus when the user faces the image display of the user's communication apparatus. Then, a pivoting unit pivots user's self-picture information in response to pivotal movement of the user's cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus. The image display has an aspect ratio defined by different vertical and horizontal lengths. An image pick-up unit of the pivoted user's cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus produces the user's self-picture information. An encoding unit encodes the pivoted user's self-picture information. A transmitting unit transmits the encoded user's self-picture information to a cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus of the user's party. Since the party's cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus receives the pivoted user's self-picture information from the user's cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus, the user's self-picture information properly oriented with respect to the vertical axis of the earth is displayed on the party's cell-phone type moving picture communication apparatus.

Moving picture communication method and apparatus

After a program is inputted in the high-level synthesis of system design, blocks each for implementing at least one function and an HW resource connection graph showing a plurality of HW resources and a wiring structure connecting the HW resources are generated. From a database storing the HW resources, data on the size of each of the HW resources is inputted such that the HW resources are provisionally placed and a contribution rate of each of parameters which affect power consumption and the like in each of wires between blocks with respect to all the wires is calculated as a weight of signal lines between blocks. Block generation is performed repeatedly till the weight of signal lines between blocks in each of the wires between blocks becomes a threshold value or less. If the weight of signal lines between blocks becomes the threshold value or less, an HDL is outputted. By performing block generation in consideration of a reduction in power consumption and the like in the high-level synthesis on the high level design, overall design efficiency is increased.

Method of designing semiconductor integrated circuit

In an adaptive auto equalizer for automatically amending a signal distorted through propagation in a transmission line to the expected value, each multiplication unit includes a plurality of weight coefficient holding units for storing weight coefficients. The number of these weight coefficient holding units is the same as the clock number which is equal to a delay required for updating the weight coefficients. An adder calculates weight coefficients every clock. The storage location of the calculated weight coefficients is switched by a selector, and the weight coefficients calculated every clock are serially held in a corresponding one of the weight coefficient holding units. The other selectors serially select one of the plurality of weight coefficient holding units and the weight coefficients thus held are given to the multiplication units. Consequently, each of the weight coefficients held in the weight coefficient holding units is given to a corresponding one of the multiplication units in a time period corresponding to the clock number equal to the delay time required for updating the weight coefficients. Thus, even if there is a delay before the update of the weight coefficients, an output error does not diverge, which makes it possible to obtain an ideal output signal in a short time and in a stable manner.

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Fukuoka, Japan

Masao Hamada