Showing papers by "Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories published in 2000"

High dynamic range imaging: spatially varying pixel exposures

Abstract: While real scenes produce a wide range of brightness variations, vision systems use low dynamic range image detectors that typically provide 8 bits of brightness data at each pixel. The resulting low quality images greatly limit what vision can accomplish today. This paper proposes a very simple method for significantly enhancing the dynamic range of virtually any imaging system. The basic principle is to simultaneously sample the spatial and exposure dimensions of image irradiance. One of several ways to achieve this is by placing an optical mask adjacent to a conventional image detector array. The mask has a pattern with spatially varying transmittance, thereby giving adjacent pixels on the detector different exposures to the scene. The captured image is mapped to a high dynamic range image using an efficient image reconstruction algorithm. The end result is an imaging system that can measure a very wide range of scene radiance and produce a substantially larger number of brightness levels, with a slight reduction in spatial resolution. We conclude with several examples of high dynamic range images computed using spatially varying pixel exposures.

System and method for request, delivery and use of multimedia files for audiovisual entertainment in the home environment

Abstract: A personal computer connected to the Internet can receive and store audio and audiovisual data or programming from the Internet This audio and audiovisual programming can be provided by the computer over a digital connection to speakers and/or a monitor located away from the computer at a location convenient for a user A remote control unit allows the user to send signals back over the digital connection to the computer to control the computer to provide the audio or audiovisual programming that the user desires over the digital connection to the speakers and/or monitor located where the user is The computer may send a listing of the available programming to the remote control unit from which the user can make selections

Natural language interface control system

Abstract: A natural language interface control system (206) for operating a plurality of devices (114) consists of a first microphone array (108), a feature extraction module (202) coupled to the first microphone array, and a speech recognition module (204) coupled to the feature extraction module, wherein the speech recognition module utilizes hidden Markov models. The system also comprises a natural language interface module (222) coupled to the speech recognition module (204) and a device interface (210) coupled to the natural language interface module (222), wherein the natural language interface module is for operating a plurality of devices coupled to the device interface based upon non-prompted, open-ended natural language requests from a user.

Network distribution and management of interactive video and multi-media containers

Abstract: Interactive interfaces to video information provide a displayed view of a quasi-object called a root image. The root image consists of a plurality of basic frames selected from the video information, arranged such that their respective x and y directions are aligned with the x and y directions in the root image and the z direction in the root image corresponds to time, such that base frames are spaced apart in the z direction of the root image in accordance with their time separation. The displayed view of the root image changes in accordance with a designated viewing position, as if the root image were a three-dimensional object. The user can manipulate the displayed image by designating different viewing positions, selecting portions of the video information for playback and by special effects, such as cutting open the quasi-object for a better view. A toolkit permits interface designers to design such interfaces, notably so as to control the types of interaction which will be possible between the interface and an end user. Implementations of the interfaces including editors and viewers are also disclosed.

Active matrix type display apparatus and drive circuit thereof

Abstract: Each of picture elements comprises an input transistor for accepting a signal current from a data line when a scanning line is selected, a conversion transistor for converting the signal current into a voltage and for holding thus converted voltage, and a drive transistor for driving a light emitting device with drive current corresponding to the converted voltage. The conversion transistor flows the signal current to its channel to generate the voltage corresponding to the converted voltage and a capacitor to restrain the generated voltage. Further the drive transistor flows the drive current corresponding to the voltage stored in the capacitor. In this case the threshold voltage of the drive transistor is set not to be smaller than the threshold voltage of the conversion transistor, and thereby a leakage current flowing through the light emitting device is suppressed.

Modal display, smooth scroll graphic user interface and remote command device suitable for efficient navigation and selection of dynamic data/options presented within an audio/visual system

Abstract: The efficient and intuitive presentation, navigation, and selection of AV information in a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display apparatus of an AV system. Related AV information is organized as items within lists that correspond to various navigable fields of a status bar of the GUI during the GUI interactive mode. A highlighted navigable field of the status bar displays its list of related AV information and the items of the list are scrolled through the navigable field by a user causing a scrolling cylinder of a navigation and selection device to move in a scroll. A different field of the status bar may be selected by the user moving the scrolling cylinder in a lateral movement. Activation of the selection mechanism of the navigation and selection device will cause an AV device to be controlled in accordance with the currently displayed AV options.

Method and system for performing electronic retailing

Abstract: A bar code scanning and information retrieval system is integrated into a consumer electronic device that has an otherwise main and different function or purpose. Location determining technology, or a user interface through which location-specific information is provided, may be added to the bar code scanning and information retrieval system. A user may readily obtain information regarding the vendor at the location where the product is scanned and other vendors of the scanned product in the vicinity of the scanning device. Information can be provided to the user concerning nearby vendor location, maps to these vendors and product pricing and availability at these vendors, for example. Scanning and memory capability can be provided in connection with a non-Internet-ready portable consumer good and that scanned information can be subsequently transferred to an Internet-ready device by means of removable memory. Scanned information pertaining to a primary product may be used to obtain information from a web site regarding secondary consumer products that are related the to primary consumer product. Scanning a product code may automatically link a user to a web site or other location on a computer network, such as the Internet, which provides information related to the product whose product code was scanned. Thus, scanning the bar code acts as an instruction to a web browser to access a web site associated with the scanned bar code.

Methods and apparatus for associating descriptive data with digital image files

Abstract: Methods and systems for labeling digital image data generated by digital imaging devices, such as digital cameras and camcorders, with descriptive information are disclosed. In one embodiment, a menu of descriptive terms is displayed to the user of the digital imaging device. The user chooses one or more of the descriptive terms and the user's choices are associated with the digital image data. The descriptive terms may be used, for example, to generate a file name or may be later displayed with the digital image. In another embodiment, the digital imaging device accepts audio input such as, for example, the user speaking descriptive labels into a microphone. Using speech processing techniques, descriptive terms are extracted from the audio input and associated with the digital image data. In yet another embodiment, the digital imaging device accepts information from a location determination device, such as a GPS system. The location information may be used to determine alphanumeric location labels that can then be associated with the digital image data.

Method, system and devices for wireless data storage on a server and data retrieval

Abstract: A method and system for remotely storing data on a server through a wireless connection instead of storing data locally in a consumer device, as well as devices for use with the method and system. More particularly, a video camera, still camera, laptop computer, or other consumer device which normally stores data in local memory such as film, disk, random access memory, memory sticks, or other forms of storage would transmit the data to a remote server through a wireless connection. The data would be saved on the remote server for subsequent retrieval through, for example, the Internet or a wireless connection to the server. In addition, data not originating from the user device could be downloaded to the consumer device. The data to be retrieved can be specified by the user, or sent to the user according to a user profile stored on the server.

Charging system for mobile robot, method for searching charging station, mobile robot, connector, and electrical connection structure

Abstract: A charging system for a mobile robot includes the mobile robot that is battery-driven and moves in a self-controlled way within a work space, and a charging station for accommodating the mobile robot for a battery charging operation. The charging system includes visible recognition data arranged in a predetermined location of the charging station, an image pickup unit mounted on the mobile robot, a calculating unit for calculating a range and a bearing from the mobile robot to the charging station, based on an image picked up by the image pickup unit, and a searching unit for causing the mobile robot to search for the charging station, based on the calculation result provided by the calculating unit. Since the mobile robot searches for the charging station using a camera for recognizing the visible recognition data, a charging operation is automated.

Information input/output system and information input/output method

Abstract: A digital object is manipulated by way of a physical object. As a digital space on a computer is deeply fused with a physical real space, it becomes possible to input user commands not only by way of native user input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard but also various physical objects that are scattered in the real world and draw out a digital object by way of a physical object. As a result, computers can be operated in a more intuitive and easy way and become attractive to the users.

Electronic pet system, network system, robot, and storage medium

Abstract: A virtual electronic pet and a pet-type robot that changes emotional state and instinct state according to surrounding information and internal information. The electronic pet behaves according to the emotional state and the instinct state. Transmission/reception of the internal state of the electronic pet (pet characteristic information) is made possible among the virtual electronic pet, the pet-type robot, and a personal computer. Thus, the action of the electronic pet is implemented by each device in accordance with the internal state of the electronic pet affected by other equipment.

Optical Disc System for Digital Video Recording

Abstract: We have developed a new error correction method (Picket: a combination of a long distance code (LDC) and a burst indicator subcode (BIS)), a new channel modulation scheme (17PP, or (1, 7) RLL parity preserve (PP)-prohibit repeated minimum transition runlength (RMTR) in full), and a new address format (zoned constant angular velocity (ZCAV) with headers and wobble, and practically constant linear density) for a digital video recording system (DVR) using a phase change disc with 9.2 GB capacity with the use of a red (λ=650 nm) laser and an objective lens with a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.85 in combination with a thin cover layer. Despite its high density, this new format is highly reliable and efficient. When extended for use with blue-violet (λ≈405 nm) diode lasers, the format is well suited to be the basis of a third-generation optical recording system with over 22 GB capacity on a single layer of a 12-cm-diameter disc.

Method and apparatus for securing control words

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for securing control words is provided. The method includes receiving scrambled digital content in a descrambler integrated circuit. The method further includes receiving an encrypted control word in the descrambler integrated circuit, decrypting the encrypted control word using a key stored in a register circuit of the descrambler integrated circuit, and descrambling the scrambled digital content in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control word.

Data providing system, device, and method

Abstract: A content provider (101) distributes a secure container (104) containing content data encrypted with a content key data, content key data encrypted with distribution key data, and title deed data encrypted and representing the handling of the content data to, e.g., an SAM (1051) of a user home network (103). The SAM (1051) decodes the content key data and title deed data contained in the secure container (104), and determines the handling including the form of purchase and the form of the use of the content data according to the decrypted title deed data.

Picture encoding and/or decoding apparatus and method for providing scalability of a video object whose position changes with time and a recording medium having the same recorded thereon

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining scalability of a video object (VO) whose position and/or size changes with time. The position of an upper layer picture and that of a lower layer picture in an absolute coordinate system are determined so that corresponding pixels in an enlarged picture and in the upper layer picture may be arranged at the same positions in the absolute coordinate system.

Method and apparatus for a biometrically-secured self-service kiosk system for guaranteed product delivery and return

Abstract: An apparatus including a secure kiosk capable of containing products and a consumer access device to unlock and retrieve a product from the kiosk is disclosed.

Organic electroluminescent element

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide stable yellow color to orange color luminescence with high brightness by including a distyryl compound as an organic luminescent material in an organic layer arranged between an anode and a cathode SOLUTION: An organic layer having a luminescent region is arranged between an anode and a cathode A distyryl compound represented by formula I is included as an organic luminescent material in the organic layer In formula I, R1, R4 are the same or different group, and an aryl group represented by formula II In formula II, R9-R13 are the same or different group, are a hydrogen atom or at least one of them is a saturated or unsaturated alkoxy group or alkyl group In formula I, R2, R3 are the same or different group, and an aryl group represented by formula III In formula III, R14-R20 are the same or different group, are a hydrogen atom or at least one of them is a saturated or unsaturated alkoxy group or alkyl group In formula I, R5-R8 are the same of different group, and at least one of them is a cyano group, a nitro group, or a halogen atom

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device

Abstract: The manufacturing method uses a substrate body comprising a semiconductor substrate having a cell region (1) for forming a memory cell portion and a circuit region (2) for forming a peripheral circuit portion, in which a diffusion layer is formed to the semiconductor substrate in the circuit region (2) and a first interlayer insulation film is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and comprises conducting a step of forming a peripheral circuit including a step of forming a connection hole through a first interlayer insulation film in the circuit region (2) so as to expose the diffusion layer at the bottom, a step of ion implanting impurities to the diffusion layer in the vicinity of the bottom of the connection hole and a step of conducting a heat treatment for activating the impurities introduced into the diffusion layer. Subsequently, a cell region processing step having a step of forming a capacitor on the substrate body in the cell region (1) is conducted. A highly dielectric material is used for the material of the dielectric film of the capacitor, so that the capacity of the capacitor is not lowered even if the compensating diffusion layer is formed in the step of forming the peripheral circuit.

Universal platform for software defined radio

Abstract: The universal platform for the SDR of the present invention employs the direct conversion approach with the n-port MMIC followed by reconfigurable reprogrammable devices such as DSP's or FPGA's. The universal platform is based on the linear operation of the devices. Thus, the DC offset problem may be solved. It is also possible to support very wide bandwidths compared with conventional I/Q receivers. Therefore, the present universal platform is suitable for multimode and multiband communications.

Switching power circuit

Abstract: An active clamp circuit is provided on the primary side of a composite resonance type switching converter which has a voltage resonant converter on its primary side and a parallel resonance circuit on its secondary side, wherein a parallel resonance voltage pulse generated across a primary parallel resonance capacitor is clamped so that the level thereof is suppressed Consequently, the withstand voltage requisite relative to any of the component elements such as switching elements and the primary parallel resonance capacitor employed in the power circuit can be selectively lowered

Logic circuit and full adder using the same

Abstract: A logic circuit capable of suppressing occurrence of wraparound of signals, capable of reducing power consumption, and in addition achieving a reduction of a circuit scale and an improvement of an operating speed and a full adder using the same, wherein provision is made of an exclusive-OR generation circuit 12 for receiving a first logic signal A and a second logic signal B taking a logic “1” or “0” and generating the exclusive-OR of the first logic signal A and the second logic signal B, a dual signal generation circuit 11 for receiving the first logic signal A and the second logic signal B and generating the dual signal of the exclusive-OR of the first logic signal A and the second logic signal B, and an interpolation circuit 13 for compulsorily setting the output level of the dual signal at the level of the logic “1” when the output level of the exclusive-OR is the logic “0”, while compulsorily setting the output level of the exclusive-OR at the level of the logic “0” when the output level of the dual signal is the logic “1”.

Digital video decoding, buffering and frame-rate converting method and apparatus

Abstract: A decoder decodes full frame MPEG-2 video by a single method that applies regardless of buffer memory and frame rate conversion considerations. A display control module handles frame rate and field sequence in response to host configuration, trick play command signals, and information in the received bitstream. Pictures are decoded as buffer memory for the decoded pictures becomes available, and picture display attributes are assigned and stored in a table, one string for each decoded picture. Frame rate and field sequence are managed in light of memory constraints, to produce a high quality result without re-decoding data.

Heater block cooling system for wafer processing apparatus

Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for cooling a heater block located in a cylindrical processing chamber of a wafer processing apparatus. The cooling system includes first and second frame assemblies having respective ends adapted to rest on an upper peripheral surface of the processing chamber, and fan assemblies mounted to the frame assemblies at spaced locations therealong. A first pair of fan assemblies are directed to push air into the processing chamber, and a second pair of fan assemblies are directed to pull air out of the processing chamber. The fan assemblies are arranged such that they circulate ambient air through the processing chamber to provide a rapid cooling of the heater block to a safe working temperature. The frame assemblies have an adjustable length that can be adjusted to fit processing chambers having different sizes and configurations. The cooling system substantially reduces the cooling time required for the heater block to reach a safe working temperature as compared to conventional cooling by free convection.

On the use of zero-crossing rate for an application of classification of percussive sounds

Abstract: We address the issue of automatically extracting rhythm descriptors from audio signals, to be eventually used in content-based musical applications such as in the context of MPEG7. Our aim is to approach the comprehension of auditory scenes in raw polyphonic audio signals without preliminary source separation. As a first step towards the automatic extraction of rhythmic structures out of signals taken from the popular music repertoire, we propose an approach for automatically extracting time indexes of occurrences of different percussive timbres in an audio signal. Within this framework, we found that a particular issue lies in the classification of percussive sounds. In this paper, we report on the method currently used to deal with this problem.

Method and apparatus for synchronizing device information

Abstract: Two electronic devices automatically perform a synchronization session when one of the electronic devices is brought in proximity to the other electronic device. The synchronization session is initiated without user intervention based simply on the fact that the two devices have recently been brought within a predetermined distance of each other. The two electronic devices communicate in a wireless manner. The two devices may determine that they are within a predetermined distance of each other using global positioning technology, via which one of the devices determines its own position and compares it to a known position of the other electronic device. Alternatively, one of the electronic devices may output a low level signal that can be received by the other electronic device when within a certain range. Once the low level signal is received, the recipient of the low level signal outputs a stronger signal to ensure that it is received by the other electronic device requesting a synchronization session, which once established enables synchronization of information between the two devices.

Electronic document processing apparatus

Abstract: On receipt of a tagged file, as a tagged document, at step S 1 , a document processing apparatus at step S 2 derives the attribute information for read-out from tags of the tagged file and embeds the attribute information to generate a speech read-out file. Then, at step S 3 , the document processing apparatus performs processing suited for a speech synthesis engine, using the generated speech read-out file. At step S 4 , the document processing apparatus performs processing depending on the operation by the user through a user interface.

Method, system, and structure for disabling a communication device during the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions

Abstract: A small transmitter built into the electric system of an environment, either stationary or potentially mobile, transmits a weak RF field capable of at least partially disabling a communication device in response to receiving a trigger signal. The trigger signal is generated by the electric system in response to the presence of one or more so-called “forbidden” conditions that require that the communication device be disabled. Disabling the communication device in this manner prevents the user from using the communication device under inappropriate conditions and thereby operates to greatly enhance public safety. Disabling the communication interface of the communication device may entail disabling all keypad functions of a cellular phone, for instance, disabling all but valid, predetermined emergency uses of the communication interface, or powering-down the communication device during the existence of the condition.

Semiconductor and fabrication method thereof

Abstract: A semiconductor device with p-channel and n-channel field effect devices formed on a common substrate, where the drain and source regions of the n-channel field effect device are formed within a silicon epitaxial layer formed on a silicon layer germanium relax which is formed on a silicon germanium buffer layer with a graduated germanium concentration. Additionally, drain and source regions of the p-channel field effect device are formed within a silicon-germanium compound layer formed on the substrate and the silicon epitaxial cap layer formed on the silicon-germanium compound layer.