A 48×32 element thermoelectric infrared sensor array with a responsivity of R=2100 V/W has been developed. An array with both high responsivity and low-cost potential was fabricated using the CMOS IC process, a precisely patterned Au-black infrared absorber, and micromachining technology. A blind-spot pedestrian warning system using the array has been fitted to Nissan's ASV-2 (advanced safety vehicle). It alerts the driver to the presence of a pedestrian in the blind spot by detecting infrared radiation from human bodies. It also prevents the vehicle from moving in the direction of the pedestrian.

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Immersive projection displays like CAVE systems are essential for creating immersive virtual environments (VEs). However, they induce depth perception errors that depend on the direction of view. This prevents the use of immersive VEs in various fields. We created a typical immersive VE and measured the depth perception errors. Using this experimental environment, we focused on the contradiction in depth information between that given by the viewer's congestion and that given by the viewer's focus. Our measurement results clarified the effect of this contradiction and the characteristics of depth perception errors in immersive VEs. We also tested error correction polynomial fitting using correction tables. The correction table calculated using the measured data was effective in correcting depth perception errors.

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In the field of VR systems, the AR technology is a topic. And so, beyond the conventional understanding that “high resolution” is equal to “high quality” of images desplayed on a CRT display, we are conducting basic research on technologies needed to develop an extra-high-quality imaging system, one that can convey high-order sensations, which convey deep artistic and emotional information. We designed an objective test for assessing extra-high-quality images that focuses more on high-order sensations than do subjective tests. An extra-high-quality imaging system is characterized by 4096 quantization levels for each R, G, and B. We assessed image quality by changing the quantization levels. The objective test was administered using electroencephalography (EEG). We found that the power of alpha-EEG was higher in images with a higher quantization level, meaning that EEG should create a good index for assessing the high-order sensations in extra-high-quality images.

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An interactive segmentation and visualization technique for volume data is presented which uses independent component analysis (ICA) and a three-dimensional histogram of the volume data. Volume segmentation becomes equivalent to clipping of the three-dimensional histogram in ICA space and results in a transfer function for hardware-accelerated rendering which provides immediate visual feedbacks to facilitate further exploration of the data. By applying this technique to a variety of volume data sets it is demonstrated that in many cases volume segmentation in ICA space is more intuitive and effective than in the original voxel space.

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Analytic, simulated, scanned datasets were used to evaluate two representative data-centric methods for designing transfer functions (TFs), which are a key factor determining the quality of volume rendered images. They map the physical fields of a given volume dataset to the optical properties, such as color and opacity. Designing proper TFs is difficult because they depend on both the context of the target volume dataset and the purpose of the visual exploration. A system called “Ivory” was developed to assist in the design of TFs. With it, a better TF can be composed so as to inherit different features from two original TFs.

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A method is described for extracting text regions from scenery images captured by digital camera. Most methods proposed for extracting such regions use a specific feature, such as an edge feature, so they must use many conditions for extraction. It is also difficult to assign the conditions. A method described can use a few conditions because it uses two kinds of features. Closed edges which reflects local aspects of an image in the image domain; are used for extraction. Color clustering, which reflects the global aspect, is used for segment ation. In each feature image, candidate character regions are selected based on the relative geometric data among the regions. Regions to the selected one are extracted as character regions and used to reconstruct the text regions. Character recognition experiments using commercial software are shown.

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A method has been developed for synthesizing full-parallax binary-amplitude holograms that can shade three-dimensional objects expressed in a surface model. The brightness of plane surfaces formed with point sources of light is modeled based on radiometry. A procedure is used to compensate for the change in brightness as the direction of observation changes. A masking technique is used to modify the brightness of the plane surfaces and to shade reconstructed images of binary holograms. Optically reconstructed three-dimensional images of objects with shading were demonstrated using this method.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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We have developed a fabrication method with printing for light-weight, large ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) devices with plastic film substrates. The proposed method uses flexographic printing. An FLC/monomer solution coated on an anilox roll is deposited on a letter press and then transferred from the press to the surface of the substrate. The pressure of the roller used to laminate the solution between two substrates was adjusted so that the upper substrate was pressed onto spacer particles dispersed in the solution film. The formation of air bubbles in the film was considerably reduced by heating the substrates to 50t. A laminated solution film was pressed beneath a glass sheet to prevent curling of the substrates and to make the film temperature uniform. The solution film was then irradiated with ultraviolet light, causing polymer networks supporting the two substrates to form in the FLC. A device fabricated between polarizers exhibited a high contrast ratio more than 100 : 1 and grayscale capability.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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