Patent ID: 7209180
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A video output device comprising: an aspect ratio detecting unit configured to detect an aspect ratio of a input video; a first blank adding unit configured to add a blank on both left and right sides of the video to produce a video having an aspect ratio of 16/9, in a case where the aspect ratio detected by the aspect ratio detecting unit is 4/3; a second blank adding unit configured to add a blank on both upper and lower sides of the video to produce a video having an aspect ratio of 4/3, in a case where the aspect ratio detected by the aspect ratio detecting unit is 16/9; a setting unit configured to enable one of the first and the second blank adding units and to disable the other; an output unit configured to output the video having a changed aspect ratio produced by either one of the first and the second blank adding units enabled by the setting unit; a blank video detecting unit configured to detect whether or not a predetermined range on both left and right sides of the input video is uniform, and to detect whether or not a predetermined range on both upper and lower sides of the input video is uniform; and a brightness detecting unit configured to detect a brightness of a predetermined range on both left and right sides of the input video, and to detect a brightness of a predetermined range on both upper and lower sides of the input video, wherein when the blank video detecting unit detects that the predetermined range of the input video on both left and right sides, or on both upper and lower sides, is uniform, the first and the second blank adding unit adjust a brightness and a color of the blank to be added so as to coincide with the brightness and a color of the predetermined range of the input video, and wherein when the blank video detecting unit detects that the predetermined range of the input video on both left and right sides, and on both upper and lower sides, is not uniform, the first blank adding unit adjusts the brightness of the blank to be added in accordance with the brightness of the predetermined range of the input video on both left and right sides, and the second blank adding unit adjusts the brightness of the blank to be added in accordance with the brightness of the predetermined range of the input video on both upper and lower sides.