Advanced Imaging Devices
Next-generation Solid-state Imaging Devices
Hirotaka MARUYAMA,
Senior Research Engineer,
Advanced Imaging Devices
Our study group has been developing high-performance imaging devices such as the Solid-state HARP* Imaging Device, which has ten times the sensitivity of an ordinary CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a wide dynamic range.
The structure of the Solid-state HARP Imaging Device features a crimp junction in which bump electrodes are sandwiched between an optoelectronic-conversion section and a signal-readout circuit. To obtain a sensitivity high enough to get clear images in darkness, the optoelectronic-conversion section employs a HARP film that has a high quantum efficiency and an amplification effect with no added noise.
Work also continues on a low-noise signal-readout circuit needed for raising sensitivity. The junction section has fine bumps and electrodes for each pixel and pressure, and the state of junction surfaces, etc., are optimized at the time of bonding to ensure the reliability of the device.
Furthermore, a signal-processing circuit is being incorporated in the imaging device to obtain a wide dynamic range for pickup over a broad range of lighting conditions. Here, signal saturation when particularly intense light is incident is a problem, and new technology that makes for a more accurate output under intense light is being developed.
In the above manner, by combining the high-sensitivity, optoelectronic-conversion technology of the HARP film, new low-noise technology, and wide-dynamic-range technology, we are making definite progress towards the realization of next-generation high-performance solid-state imaging devices.

*HARP: High-gain Avalanche Rushing amorphous Photoconductor



Multimedia Services
Research on Content Handling
Nobuyuki YAGI,
Senior Research Engineer,
Multimedia Services
In digital broadcasting era, it is the broadcaster's responsibility to provide high-quality content that meets the various needs of its viewers while ensuring the characteristics of each media. To facilitate this, the broadcaster should have a production environment that can provide a variety of good-quality contents and make efficient use of a piece of video. Our research group's focus is contents production technology. We have developed production systems and tools, such as DTPP (Desk Top Program Production) and TVML (TV program Making Language). DTPP is a framework for program production that makes full use of metadata. It is the concept behind the "Beatus" digital program production system, which is used in the broadcasting field. TVML is a script language for describing TV programs. TVML makes it possible to generate contents from a text scenario automatically. Our experience has also us let make positive contributions to MPEG-7 standardization.
Presently, we are developing a "multi-output-type content production" system that is capable of producing multiple contents that meet the needs of individual viewers and media concurrently. To this end, we are investigating media-free content descriptions that can handle all the necessary production elements (including essence, metadata, media profile, and intellectual assets such as production expertise) and support technology (including image processing, video processing, and agent technology).