Patent ID: 7502022
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: G09G

Abstract:
1. An image synthesis output apparatus which receives an input of a plurality of images, synthesizes the plurality of images to generate a synthetic image, and outputs the synthetic image as an output image, the image synthesis output apparatus comprising: an input-image storage section which stores the plurality of images; a synthetic-image storage section which stores the synthetic image; an image synthesis section which shifts an operation mode among a plurality of modes that include a synthesizing mode in which the plurality of images that are stored in the input-image storage section are read and synthesized to generate the synthetic image, and the synthetic image is outputted as the output image, a synthesis writing mode in which the plurality of images that are stored in the input-image storage section are read and synthesized to generate the synthetic image, and the synthetic image is outputted as the output image and is stored in the synthetic-image storage section, and a reading mode in which the synthetic image that is stored in the synthetic-image storage section is read and is outputted as the output image; and a mode control section which gives the image synthesis section an instruction for any of the plurality of modes, wherein the mode control section includes: a synthesizing mode instruction section which gives the image synthesis section an instruction for the synthesizing mode, during a period of time from a latest update time when at least one of the plurality of images which are stored in the input-image storage section is most recently updated to a time when a first predetermined period elapses after the latest update time; a power-consumption decision section which, if the first predetermined period elapses after the latest update time, evaluates a first power consumption which is necessary for the image synthesis section to read the plurality of images from the input-image storage section and synthesize the plurality of images and a second power consumption which is necessary for the image synthesis section to read the synthetic image from the synthetic-image storage section, and decides whether or not the first power consumption is more than the second power consumption; a synthesis-writing mode instruction section which, if the power-consumption decision section obtains a positive decision when the first predetermined period elapses after the latest update time, gives the image synthesis section an instruction for the synthesis writing mode, during the period of time from when the first predetermined period elapses after the latest update time to when a second predetermined period further elapses after the first predetermined period elapses; and a reading mode instruction section which, if the power-consumption decision section obtains the positive decision when the first predetermined period elapses after the latest update time, gives the image synthesis section an instruction for the reading mode, during a period of time after the second predetermined period further elapses from when the first predetermined period elapses after the latest update time.