All The Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit for obtaining image data formed by signal of a plurality of pixels expressing a color image;
a scene discrimination unit for discriminating a photographic scene from the image data;
a gradation correction method decision unit for determining a gradation correction method based on a result of discriminating a photographic scene;
a first gradation correction amount decision unit for determining a first gradation correction amount based on a result of discriminating a photographic scene;
a face detection unit for detecting a face area in an image of the image data and calculating a face detection reliability;
a second gradation correction amount decision unit for determining a second gradation correction amount based on an average luminance of the face area detected by the face detection unit;
a third gradation correction amount decision unit for weighted averaging the first gradation correction amount and the second gradation correction amount based on the face detection reliability, and determining a third gradation correction amount; and
a gradation correction processing unit for applying a gradation correction process to the image data by using the third gradation correction amount and the gradation method,

wherein the scene discrimination unit comprises:
a first occupancy rate calculation unit for dividing the image data into areas specified by combinations of predetermined brightness and hue, and calculating the first occupancy rate expressing a rate of the divided area against entire image data for the each divided area;
a first index calculation unit for calculating a first and a second indexes by multiplying predetermined first and second coefficients, which are different each other and set in advance, to the first occupancy rate;
a second occupancy calculation unit for dividing the image data into predetermined areas specified by combinations of predetermined distances from an external edge of a screen and brightness of the image data, and calculating second occupancy rates expressing the occupancy ratios of the predetermined areas against the entire image data for respective divided areas;
a second index calculation unit for calculating a third index by multiplying a predetermined third coefficient to the second occupancy rate;
a third index calculation unit for calculating a fourth index by multiplying a predetermined fourth coefficient at least to an average luminance of skin color in a center portion of a screen of the image data; and
a discrimination unit for discriminating a photographic scene of the image data based on the first, second, third and fourth indexes, which have been calculated.
2. An image processing apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit for obtaining a first image data formed by signals of a plurality of pixels expressing a color image;
an image reduction unit for forming a second image data by reducing an image size of the first image data;
a scene discrimination unit for discriminating a photographic scene of an image from the second image data;
a gradation correction method decision unit for determining a gradation correction method based on a result of discriminating a photographic scene;
a first gradation correction amount decision unit for determining a first gradation correction amount based on a result of discriminating a photographic scene;
a face detection unit for detecting a face area in an image of the second image data and calculating a face detection reliability;
a second gradation correction amount decision unit for determining a second gradation correction amount based on an average luminance of the face area detected by the face detection unit;
a third gradation correction amount decision unit for determining a third gradation correction amount by weighted averaging the first gradation correction amount and the second gradation correction amount based on the face detection reliability; and
a gradation correction processing unit for applying a gradation correction process to the first image data by using the third gradation correction amount and the gradation method,

wherein the scene discrimination unit comprises:
a first occupancy rate calculation unit for dividing the second image data into areas specified by combinations of predetermined brightness and hue, and calculating the first occupancy rate expressing a rate of the divided area against entire second image data for the each divided area
a first index calculation unit for calculating a first and a second indexes by multiplying predetermined first and second coefficients, which are different each other and set in advance, to the first occupancy rate;
a second occupancy rate calculation unit for dividing the second image data into predetermined areas specified by combinations of predetermined distances from an external edge of a screen and brightness of the second image data, and calculating second occupancy rates expressing the occupancy ratios of the predetermined areas against the entire second image data for respective divided areas;
a second index calculation unit for calculating a third index by multiplying a predetermined third coefficient to the second occupancy rate;
a third index calculation unit for calculating a fourth index by multiplying a predetermined fourth coefficient at least to an average luminance of skin color in a center portion of a screen of the second image data; and
a discrimination unit for discriminating a photographic scene of the second image data based on the first, second, third and fourth indexes, which have been calculated.
3. A computer readable medium recorded thereon an image processing program to allow computer to realize a gradation correction processing function comprising:
obtaining image data formed by signals of a plurality of pixels expressing a color image;
discriminating a photographic scene of an image from the image data;
determining a gradation correction method based on a result of the step of discriminating a photographic scene,
determining a first gradation correction amount based on a result of the step of discriminating a photographic scene;
detecting a face by detecting a face area in an image of the image data and calculating a face detection reliability;
determining a second gradation correction amount based on an average luminance of the face area detected in the step of detecting a face;
determining a third gradation correction amount by weighted averaging the first gradation correction amount and the second gradation correction amount based on the face detection reliability; and
applying a gradation correction process to the image data by using the third gradation correction amount and the gradation method,

wherein the function of discriminating a photographic scene comprises:
calculating a first occupancy rate by dividing the image data into areas specified by combinations of predetermined brightness and hue, and calculating the first occupancy rate expressing a rate of the divided area against entire image data for the each divided area;
calculating a first and a second indexes by multiplying predetermined first and second coefficients, which are different each other and set in advance, to the first occupancy rate;
calculating second occupancy rates by dividing the image data into predetermined areas specified by combinations of predetermined distances from an external edge of a screen and brightness of the image data, and calculating second occupancy rates expressing the occupancy ratios of the predetermined areas against the entire image data for respective divided areas;
calculating a third index by multiplying a predetermined third coefficient to the second occupancy rate;
calculating a fourth index by multiplying a predetermined fourth coefficient at least to an average luminance of skin color in a center portion of a screen of the image data; and
discriminating a photographic scene of the image data based on the first, second, third and fourth indexes, which have been calculated.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A display apparatus connectable with one or more other display apparatuses and including display means for displaying an image, comprising:
input means to input video signal output from one of the other display apparatuses;
image enlarging means to generate, from the input video signal, an enlarged image of the image corresponding to the input video signal;
authentication means to perform mutual authentication with said one of the other display apparatuses; and
display control means to, if the authentication has been successfully passed, display an enlarged image generated by the image enlarging means on the display means such that images displayed on the displayed apparatus and the one or more other display apparatuses form, as a whole, a complete enlarged image.
2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image enlarging means generates the enlarged image from the input video signal by means of simple interpolation.
3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display apparatus and other display apparatuses are each one of either a master display apparatus or a slave display apparatus, and
wherein the mutual authentication includes determining whether the one of the other display apparatuses is a master or a slave display apparatus and responding to a signal from the one of the other display apparatuses with a signal indicating whether the display apparatus is a master or a slave display device.

1. A radiation detector comprising:
a scintillator layer configured to absorb radiation emitted from a radiation source and to emit optical photons in response to the absorbed radiation;
a photodetector layer configured to absorb the optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer; and
a reflector configured to reflect the optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer towards the photodetector layer and to absorb select wavelengths of optical photons associated with an afterglow emitted by the scintillator layer.
2. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises at least one absorbing material configured to absorb specific wavelengths of the select wavelengths associated with the afterglow.
3. The radiation detector of claim 2, wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of absorbing materials, wherein each absorbing material is configured to absorb specific wavelengths of the select wavelengths associated with the afterglow.
4. The radiation detector of claim 2, wherein the at least one absorbing material comprises a dye or an absorbing pigment.
5. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a single layer.
6. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises multiple layers.
7. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a cast reflector.
8. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a reflective metallic film.
9. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a composite reflector.
10. The radiation detector of claim 9, wherein the composite reflector comprises a reflective metallic film layer and a TiO2-binder layer, and the TiO2-binder layer comprises at least one absorbing material configured to absorb specific wavelengths of the select wavelengths associated with the afterglow.
11. An imaging system comprising:
a radiation source configured to emit radiation;
a radiation detector configured to detect the emitted radiation, the radiation detector comprising:
a scintillator layer configured to absorb the emitted radiation and to emit optical photons in response to the absorbed radiation;
a photodetector layer configured to absorb the optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer; and
a reflector configured to reflect the optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer towards the photodetector layer, wherein the reflector comprises at least one absorbing material configured to absorb select wavelengths of optical photons associated with an afterglow emitted by the scintillator layer.
12. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the reflector comprises a single layer.
13. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the reflector comprises multiple layers.
14. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the reflector comprises a cast reflector.
15. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the reflector comprises a reflective metallic film.
16. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the reflector comprises a composite reflector.
17. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein the composite reflector comprises a reflective metallic film layer and a TiO2-binder layer, and the TiO2-binder layer comprises the at least one absorbing material.
18. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the reflector is disposed about the scintillator layer.
19. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the at least one absorbing material comprises a dye or absorbing pigment material configured to absorb the select wavelengths associated with the afterglow.
20. A radiation detector comprising:
a reflector configured to be disposed about a scintillator layer and to reflect optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer towards a photodetector layer, wherein the reflector comprises at least one absorbing material configured to absorb select wavelengths of optical photons associated with an afterglow emitted by the scintillator layer.
21. The radiation detector of claim 20, wherein the at least one absorbing material comprises a dye or absorbing pigment configured to absorb specific wavelengths of the select wavelengths associated with the afterglow.
22. The radiation detector of claim 20, wherein the radiation detector comprises a plurality of absorbing materials, wherein each absorbing material is configured to absorb specific wavelengths of the select wavelengths associated with the afterglow.
23. The radiation detector of claim 20, wherein the reflector comprises a cast reflector, a reflective metallic film, or a composite reflector.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of supporting a solar panel array comprising:
providing a plurality of columns including a grouping of spaced first, second and third columns, and a grouping of spaced fourth, fifth and sixth columns;
providing a pair of first support cables connected between the first, second and third columns, the pair of first support cables comprising a first upper support cable and a first lower support cable;
providing a pair of second support cables connected between the fourth, fifth and sixth columns, the pair of second support cables comprising a second upper support cable and a second lower support cable;
providing a plurality of compression members disposed between the pair of first support cables and between the pair of second support cables;
disposing the pair of first support cables such that the first upper support cable is above the first lower support cable between the first and second columns, and is below the first lower support cable between the second and third columns;
securing one or more solar panel receivers to the pair of first support cables and to the second pair of support cables; and
securing a plurality of solar panels to each panel receiver.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing the pair of second support cables such that the second upper support cable is above the second lower support cable between the fourth and fifth columns, and is below the second lower support cable between the fifth and sixth columns.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of compression members are in compression.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of first support cables are generally parallel in their respective axial directions.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of first support cables form an inflection point at the second column.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of first support cables form a convex profile shape between the first column and the second column.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the array of solar panel receivers do not follow the convex shape of the pair of first support cables between the first column and the second column.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of first support cables is suspended continuously between the first, second and third columns.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the solar panel receivers form an array of solar panel receivers, the array of solar panel receivers generally forming a plane.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one end of the first upper support cable and the first lower support cable is secured to the ground.
11. A system for supporting a solar panel array, the system comprising:
a plurality of columns including a grouping of spaced first, second and third columns, and a grouping of spaced fourth, fifth and sixth columns;
a pair of first support cables connected between the first, second and third columns, the pair of first support cables comprising a first upper support cable and a first lower support cable;
a pair of second support cables connected between the fourth, fifth and sixth columns, the pair of second support cables comprising a second upper support cable and a second lower support cable;
a plurality of compression members disposed between the pair of first support cables and between the pair of second support cables;
one or more solar panel receivers secured to the pair of first support cables and to the second pair of support cables; and
a plurality of solar panels secured to each panel receiver;
wherein the pair of first support cables is disposed such that the first upper support cable is above the first lower support cable between the first and the second columns, and is below the first lower support cable between the second and third columns.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pair of second support cables is disposed such that the second upper support cable is above the second lower support cable between the fourth and fifth columns, and is disposed below the second lower support cable between the fifth and sixth columns.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of compression members are in compression.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the pair of first support cables are generally parallel in their respective axial directions.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the pair of first support cables form an inflection point at the second column.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the pair of first support cables form a convex profile shape between the first column and the second column.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the array of solar panel receivers do not follow the convex shape of the pair of first support cables between the first column and the second column.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the pair of first support cables is suspended continuously between the first, second and third columns.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the solar panel receivers form an array of solar panel receivers, the array of solar panel receivers generally forming a plane.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one end of the first upper support cable and the first lower support cable is secured to the ground.