Abstract: The user is allowed to automatically generate a program by using a visual programming method and a system adopting the method for automatically generating a program wherein an object selection means 8 is used for selecting a behavioral graphical object defining the behavior of a load connected thereto, a behavior selection means 9 is used for selecting the type of the behavior of the behavioral graphical object, a relevant object selection means 10 is used for selecting relevant graphical objects related to the behavior of the behavioral graphical object and a behavioral rule setting means 11 is used for setting behavioral rules of the behavioral graphical object whereas a behavioral characteristic selection unit 3509 is used for selecting a behavior of a behavioral graphical object selected by using a behavioral object selection unit 3508, behavioral condition setting unit 3510 is used for setting conditions for the behavior of the behavioral graphical object and a relevant object selection unit 3511 is used

Abstract: An image forming system that does not impair the operability of a standardized external apparatus functions in a standard mode and an individual mode. The mode of the system is selected using a mode-switching switch on an operation unit or a work station. A display screen of the operation unit is switched in correspondence with the selected mode.

Abstract: A simulation display system includes input deciding means for designating an external signal, a signal which is replaced by an event or an event, and an animation block for displaying the operation of problem to be subjected to simulation by animation on the basis of the signal or the event designated by the input deciding means.

Abstract: A digital data recording and reproducing system records only programs desired by a user. A program select or in a digital VTR or in a set-top box selects only the programs desired by the user from a plurality of programs received by a tuner in the set-top box. The programs include video, audio, data and so forth that are subjected to data compression in digital broadcasting. The program selector selects the programs in response to a user instruction sent from the user via a man-machine interface, and transfers the selected programs to a recorder. Besides, the digital data recording and reproducing system includes a decoder including a discontinuity detector for detecting discontinuity between the programs by using information specified by IEC/ISO 13818 while said decoder is decoding the compressed digital data of the programs. The discontinuity detector restarts the decoder when detecting the discontinuity between the programs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compressing an image based upon an attribute of a partial area efficiently includes a classification device for providing attribute classification information in which partial areas of an input image are classified into a variety of attributes and area information, and an image compression device for selecting an image compression method for each partial area in the above-described input image out of plural image compression methods and executing such compression.

Abstract: A communication controller enables connection between different apparatuses while protecting user's original commands and confidential data. The communication controller has a standardized mode and a user's original mode. By preventing connection with an apparatus which does not have a proper access right in advance, and transmitting data while enciphering the data when the user's original mode is executed, internal information is protected, and the secrecy protection property is not reduced.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes a decision circuit for comparing a signal amount stored in each pixel of a solid-state image pickup element with a predetermined signal amount which is set in advance, thereby deciding which of the two signal amounts is larger, a time measuring circuit for measuring a time required for the signal amount stored in each pixel to reach the predetermined signal amount, and an operating circuit for operating the stored signal of the pixel whose stored signal amount is found to be larger than the predetermined signal amount by the decision circuit, on the basis of the time information obtained from the time measuring circuit.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus for processing an image signal composed of a luminance signal and a chrominance signal is provided with a first-in first-out memory which is capable of storing the image signal for one field. The apparatus is arranged such that, in writing or reading the image signal into or from the first-in first-out memory, the image signal writing and reading actions on the first-in first-out memory are reset at intervals of a horizontal scanning period of the image signal. This arrangement enables the apparatus to carry out various signal processing actions by delaying the image signal without using any delay element exclusively for the process of delaying the image signal which is necessary for the various signal processing actions.

Abstract: An image signal processing device according to this invention is a device for processing an image signal. The device is arranged to input digital data corresponding to two kinds of color-difference signals in synchronism with a clock signal corresponding to a data rate of the digital data, reconstruct the inputted digital data corresponding to the two kinds of color-difference signals into digital data synchronized with a clock signal having a frequency which is an integer multiple of a color subcarrier frequency, and form digital data corresponding to a chrominance signal by using the reconstructed digital data corresponding to the two kinds of color-difference signals. Accordingly, it is possible to stably encode the two kinds of color-difference signals into the carrier chrominance signal by means of a simple construction without degrading the color-difference signals.

Abstract: An image signal processing device is arranged to convert an analog image signal into a digital image signal after the analog image signal is clamped, to separate, in the form of a digital signal, a synchronizing signal from the digital image signal and to control a clamping action on the analog image signal according to a state of the separated digital synchronizing signal. The arrangement enables the device to always stably perform the clamping action.

Abstract: An image pickup signal processing apparatus includes an A/D converter and a nonlinear signal processing circuit for comparing an image pickup signal input to the A/D converter and a voltage obtained by dividing a reference voltage of the A/D converter and nonlinearly processing the image pickup signal. The nonlinear signal processing circuit includes a negative feedback amplifier and circuit components for changing the amount of negative feedback provided by the negative feedback amplifier to generate nonlinear characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided a signal converting apparatus using a semiflash type A/D converter comprising an analog-digital (A/D) converting section and a digital-analog (D/A) converting section, wherein the apparatus has an input switching circuit for switching in a manner such that an input of the D/A converting section is set to a conversion output of the A/D converting section during the A/D converting operation and the input of the D/A converting section is set to an external input during the D/A converting operation.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus wherein the black level of an analog image signal is adjusted by controlling the clamp level of the inputted analog image signal. The clamped analog image signal is digitalized. Using the digital image signal offset to a first level during the blanking period, the black level adjustment of the analog image signal is carried out. The first level during the blanking period of the digital image signal corresponding to the analog image signal with the black level having been adjusted, is changed to a second level, allowing a correct and easy black level adjustment using a simple circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A digital camera signal processing device includes an analog-to-digital converting circuit for performing analog-to-digital conversion of a signal supplied from an image sensor, a color-signal separating circuit for separating color signals corresponding to sampling points for respective colors from an output signal from the analog-to-digital converting circuit, and a color-signal interpolating circuit for interpolating color signals for sampling points where no color signals are present, on the basis of the color signals corresponding to the sampling points for the respective colors.

Abstract: A white balance processing device comprises an amplifier which permits selection of one of a plurality of discrete amplification degrees; and an A-D converter the conversion gain which is variable by changing a reference voltage value. The selection of the amplification degree of the amplifier and the setting of the reference voltage value of the A-D converter are arranged to be performed in association with each other for continuous white balance control.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus using common circuitry for different signals includes conversion circuitry for converting an input image signal into another signal form. First control circuitry is provided for giving first control information to the conversion circuitry to cause the conversion circuitry to convert the input image signal into, e.g., a compressed signal. Second control circuitry is provided for giving second control information to the conversion circuitry for causing the conversion circuitry to convert the input image signal into a signal adapted to be stored by a medium. Preferably, a D/A converter is used in common during photographing operations and during reproducing operations. The common circuitry avoids the use of separate circuits for conversion into different signal forms.

Abstract: An image pickup device for temporarily storing photoelectrically converted signals of a photoelectric conversion unit in a memory device capable of storing at least one field from the image pickup device. The signals stored fin the memory unit are then read-out of the memory means and input into three read-out units. Two neighboring rows of the memory unit at a time are read out alternately and divided between the three read-out units.

Abstract: In an image sensing device which performs a white compressing process before performing an automatic gain adjusting action on an image signal, a white compression circuit is arranged to have a white compressing characteristic which is variable in association with the automatic gain adjustment; and the gain of an A/D converter which is provided for A/D converting the output of the white compression circuit is arranged to be adjustable.

Abstract: An image pickup device for temporarily storing photoelectrically converted signals of a photoelectric conversion unit in a memory device in the unit of a line and transferring the signals stored in the memory unit in succession to an output signal line, in which the memory unit is composed of a frame memory capable of storing all the photoelectrically converted signals of the photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: This invention provides an intertwisting means including drum rotatable about the axis thereof to feed linear objects wound thereon through arm members suspended over the periphery of the drum in rotatable relation with the axis thereof so as to guide the fed objects into an inner hollow portion of the drums by means of guide rollers.The invention further involves the construction formed with cap means for intertwisting the guided objects at an equal angle of torsion thereby to form a continuity of thick, strong rope-like object and a means for automatically winding said continuity thereon.