Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Yoshitsugu Yamanashi

Hiroshi Nonoshita

Eiichi Matsuzaki

Yasuhisa Ishizawa

Kenzoh Ina

Kenzo Ina

Takayuki Seki

Kenjiro Cho

Kenjiro Chyo

An image processing apparatus makes it possible to efficiently use memories, and to output an image having a high picture quality and a high resolution. The apparatus also makes it possible to reproduce particularly edge portions of an image having a relatively low resolution wherein a plurality of bits are allocated per picture element, with a high resolution. The apparatus further makes it possible to reproduce an image having a high resolution represented by one bit per picture element as an image represented by a plurality of bits per picture element. The apparatus processes a color image obtained by synthesizing a photograph and another photograph, or a photograph and characters with a small memory capacity, and outputs an image having a high quality. That is, the apparatus comprises a memory for storing character/figure images having a high resolution and a small amount of information for one picture element, a memory for storing photographic images having a low resolution and a large amount of information per picture element, and a memory for storing control data for controlling the above-described two kinds of images. An image output having a high picture quality can be obtained with a small amount of information by effectively utilizing features of the above-described two kinds of images. It is thereby possible to reduce the number of devices required for storing information, and therefore to reduce cost. It is also possible to minimize deterioration in picture quality caused by reducing the amount of information.

Image processing method and apparatus suitable for both high-resolution

A display control apparatus for a display apparatus having a display device in which a liquid crystal such as a ferroelectric liquid crystal is used as an operating medium for display-updating and the updated display state can be held by applying an electric field or the like. The display control apparatus comprises a first updating circuit to update the display content of the entire screen of the display apparatus, a second updating circuit to update the display content of a part of the display screen, a detector to detect an external factor such as a temperature of the display apparatus, and a switching circuit to switch the first and second updating circuits in accordance with the detected external factor.

Display control apparatus and method

A preserving performance of a display state of a display having a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) as a display device is effectively used, thereby realizing a long life of the display. For this purpose, access monitor device is provided. The access of a video memory by display data supply device is monitored. When there is no access for a predetermined time or more, that is, when there is no change in the present display content, display drive control device controls display driving device so as to stop the driving of an FLC panel.

Display control apparatus

Display drive of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) display device is controlled in accordance with temperature and the number of lines to be displayed and updated. An interlace or non-interlace mode for driving the display device is selected on the basis of the number of scanning lines to be updated and/or the temperature. A table is provided for changing the interlace mode on the basis of various conditions.

Apparatus and method for controlling drive of a display device in

A display control device for a display unit, using a ferroelectric liquid crystal or the like, capable of partially changing a display state of picture elements is provided with an entire updating means for updating a display of the entire picture surface of the display unit. A partial updating means is provided for updating only a portion wherein display contents have changed during entirely updating processing. A restriction means restricts the start of the partially updating means in accordance with a frequency of a command to update the portion.

Display control device

A display control device for a display unit, using a ferroelectric liquid crystal or the like, capable of partially changing a display state of picture elements is provided with an entire updating means for updating a display of the entire picture surface of the display unit. A partial updating means is provided for updating only a portion in which display contents have changed during entire updating processing. A restriction means restricts the start of operation of the partial updating means in accordance with whether the number of lines to be updated exceeds a predetermined number, where the predetermined number is less than the total number of line in the display unit.

Display control device which restricts the start of partial updating in

An image processing apparatus is disclosed which inputs/outputs an image in which image data items having different quantities of information for each pixel are mixed with one another. The information quantity for each of the image data items and information about the I/O positions are stored in a corresponding manner. When data is input, data is converted into the proper information quantities in accordance with input position, for storage. When data is output, the stored image data is converted into output data in accordance with the respective information quantities. As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced, the flexibility can be improved at the time of use and the memory can be used efficiently.

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Kawasaki, Japan

Yoshitsugu Yamanashi