Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories

About: Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories is a company organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Signal & Layer (electronics). The organization has 38708 authors who have published 63864 publications receiving 865637 citations.

Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method, and computer program

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a control unit configured to move a focusing lens, and detect a focus position; wherein the control unit executes auto-focus (AF) scan processing in which only a part of a range of movement of the focusing lens is set as a scan range, as first scan processing, and executes auto-focus (AF) scan processing in which a region including a region differing from the scan region of the first scan processing is set as a scan range, as second scan processing, in the event that a focus point is not detected in the first scan processing.

Production method of microlens array, liquid crystal display device and production method thereof, and projector

Abstract: A method of producing a microlens array includes a patterning step of forming a first optical resin layer having a first refractive index on a transparent substrate and forming a plurality of microlens planes arrayed in a two-dimensional pattern on the front surface of the first optical resin layer; a planarizing step of forming a planarized second optical resin layer; a joining step of providing a support layer on which a transparent protective film is previously formed; and a removing step of removing the support layer in such a manner that only the protective film remains on the second optical resin layer. The planarizing step is performed by filling irregularities of the microlens planes with a resin having a second refractive index and planarizing the front surface, opposed to the microlens planes, of the resin, to form the planarized second optical resin layer, and the joining step is performed by joining the support layer to the planarized second optical resin layer. With this method, a microlens array excellent in surface accuracy and flatness can be produced without the need of provision of a support layer made from glass.

Interframe motion predicting method and picture signal coding/decoding apparatus

Abstract: An interframe motion predicting method for prediction of the motion in a bidirectionally predictive-coded frame from an intra-coded frame and a predictive-coded frame, predicts the motion in another bidirectionally predictive-coded frame from the preceding bidirectionally predictive-coded frame and the predictive-coded frame. A picture signal coding apparatus executes orthogonal transformation of a picture signal, then quantizes the transformed data, and codes the data thus quantized. The apparatus includes a local decoder for the quantized data; first and second memories for storing the decoded picture data of an intra-coded or bidirectionally predictive-coded frame, and a predictive-coded frame respectively; a predictive picture generator for generating a predictive picture of a second bidirectionally predictive-coded frame; and a difference calculator for calculating the difference between the predictive picture and the original picture signal corresponding thereto. A picture signal decoding apparatus includes inverse multiplexer for separating the coded data into interframe predictive error data and vector coded data; a decoder for generating decoded picture data on the basis of such error data; first and second memories for storing the decoded picture data of the intra-coded frame and the predictive-coded frame respectively; a predictive picture generator for generating a predicted picture of a second bidirectionally predictive-coded frame; and a frame switching selector for selectively rearranging the decoded picture data in the order of reproduction.

Audio and video reproducing apparatus having independent control of selected signals

Abstract: An audio reproducing apparatus including first and second audio signal transmission paths each applied with a plurality of audio signals. Each of the first and second audio signal transmission paths has a selector for selecting one of the plurality of audio signals supplied thereto and a level controller for controlling the level of the selected audio signal. The first and second audio signal transmission paths are connected to first and second speaker units respectively each for converting the audio signal selected by the corresponding selector and whose level is controlled by the corresponding level controller into acoustic power.

Multimedia information retrieval system and method including format conversion system and method

Abstract: A multimedia information retrieval system and method including a method and system for automatic format conversion. The invention includes a data structure that is associated with each multimedia bitstream. The data structure identifies the encoding format, e.g., compression technique, used in the multimedia bitstream which is originated by a contents server. An automatic format conversion process then queries information from the client system (requester) and also receives the data structure identifying the encoding format. The client information identifies the decoding format. The automatic format conversion determines the transcoding process required for converting the bitstream from its encoded format to the format recognized by the client system. The format conversion process of the present invention also determines whether or not decoding is required before transcoding is performed thereby saving processing time and computer resources in those cases where decoding is not required. Moreover, the format conversion process also automatically determines the computer memory size required to perform the transcoding process thereby saving computer memory resources. The format converter can be implemented in software as an application and can also be integrated within a data access server. The data access server can be integrated within the client system or within the contents server. The format converter of the invention is particularly useful for electronic devices coupled in a communication network where the encoding format of the sender may not be compatible with the decoding format of the receiver, thereby requiring transcoding between the formats.