Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an electronic still camera for photographing a subject by use of an image sensing device such as a solid state image sensing device and the image signal thereof is recorded into a rotary recording medium such as a magnetic disc. With this electronic still camera, photographing in an electronic view finder ( EVF) mode and a movie still mode in addition to a normal mode can be performed. The EVF mode is the mode for making exposure of the image of the subject to the normally open image sensing means by use of an electronic finder to observe the subject, and subsequently, releasing an exposure device for a period of time required for the exposure to make exposure of the image of the subject to an image sensing device.

Abstract: An image recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed which records video signals obtained by photographing an object onto a magnetic recording medium, such as a magnetic disc or the like, or reproduces the video signals recorded on the magnetic recording media. In the image recording/reproducing apparatus, when the object is photographed in a sequential photograph mode, the video signals of the object, as well as, data signals representing the photograph data, including the number of frames to be photographed in one sequential photograph unit and its sequential speed, are recorded onto the magnetic recording medium. During reproduction, the frames recorded in the sequential photograph mode are reproduced at a sequential photograph speed corresponding to the sequential photograph speed of the recording as set forth by the data signals.

Abstract: A recording or reproducing device in which current is supplied to the spindle motor which drives the disk to produce reverse torque in response to a stop signal when the disk is rotating. The beginning of reverse rotation is detected and the supply interrupted in response thereto.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a solid-state imaging device for generating electric charges corresponding to an incident light thereto and for producing in the form of a unit of video signals the electric charges in response to a driving signal. An exposing unit has an optical shutter which opens and closes in response to an instruction signal to expose the imaging device to the incident light. A recording unit for rotating a rotary recording medium records the unit of video signals on the rotary recording medium. A phase detector detects a predetermined rotation phase of the recording medium to produce a phase detect signal, and a control unit is responsive to a shutter release button and the phase detecting unit for controlling the imaging device, exposing unit, and recording unit. The unit of video signals are recorded on the recording medium in rotation beginning from the predetermined rotation phase of the recording medium with reference to the phase detect signal.

Abstract: A color difference line sequential circuit for use in a magnetic recording apparatus such as an electronic still camera or the like in which an image signal is frequency modulated and is then recorded in a magnetic recording medium. The color difference line sequential circuit can eliminate the effects of a clamping operation performed when a color difference signal is line sequentialized.In the color difference line sequential circuit, when the color difference signals are line sequentialized in a recording system, the direct current levels of color difference signals R-Y, B-Y during the blanking periods thereof are clamped by two kinds of clamp pulses output every 2 H and different 180.degree.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically providing white balance in an electronic still camera. When the camera is not in use a sliding cover is placed over the lens with a white translucent sheet facing the lens. At the beginning of use, the sliding of the lens cover to uncover the lens triggers a white balancing circuit to perform the required white balancing for the ambient light admitted through the white translucent sheet.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing device in which a reproducing video signal is produced and applied to an external display. A servo reference signal is supplied to a servo loop to synchronize the phase of movement of a motor driving a recording medium. During crossing from track to track the video signal is muted and a compound signal synchronized with the servo reference signal applied to the external display.

Abstract: A method of protecting a magnetic recording medium includes measuring a time period over which a main power supply continues to remain in an off state and the magnetic recording medium continues to remain loaded at a predetermined position. If the measured time period attains a predetermined time period (e.g. 60 minutes), a magnetic recording/playback head is shifted to an origin position or a stand-by position outside a recording/playback area of the recording medium, thereby preventing the magnetic head from leaving its impression on the magnetic recording/playback area of the recording medium due to continuous pressing contact between the two.

Abstract: A method of erasing a magnetic recording on one designated track or on plural designated tracks on a magnetic recording medium bearing a plurality of tracks mutually adjacent one of which are spaced apart substantially equal distances includes moving a magnetic head in a direction orthogonal to the tracks, detecting a position of a track, on which a magnetic recording has been made, nearest an outermost track among the designated tracks, based on the strength of a signal read from the magnetic recording medium by the magnetic head, and erasing, by means of the magnetic head, a range decided using the detected position of tracks as a reference.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording method in which, for the purpose of tracking, a signal having a predetermined frequency is extracted from a reproduced FM recording signal recorded on a magnetic recording medium, and the magnetic head is brought to a position where the amplitude of the signal of predetermined frequency becomes substantially maxim; an FM recording signal recorded on a track of the recording medium is reproduced immediately after the recording, when dropout is detected in the recorded signal, a signal having a frequency other than the predetermined frequency is recorded on the same track in a relation superposed on the recorded signal, and the same recording signal as that recorded already on the dropout-including track is recorded on another track which may be the next adjacent track again.

Abstract: An electronic camera in which images are electrically recorded on a magnetic disk that can be removed from a receptacle that can be opened. The receptacle is prevented from opening when a picture is being taken and recorded, thus prevention incomplete recording. Such prevention can be accomplished by coupling the receptacle release to a lens cover or to a power switch powering the recording.

Abstract: A method of protecting a magnetic recording medium includes measuring a time period over which a main power supply continues to remain in an off state and the magnetic recording medium continues to remain loaded at a predetermined position. If the measured time period attains a first predetermined time period (e.g. 60 minutes), the recording medium is rotated for a second predetermined time period (e.g. several second), thereby preventing a magnetic recording/playback head from leaving its impression on the recording medium due to continuous pressing contact between the two at the same location on the recording medium.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus for tracking a track recorded in a rotary recording medium which rotates at a predetermined constant speed has a playback head for sensing a signal out of a desired one of tracks each being provided in the recording medium such that a beginning and an end of recording coincide with each other includes a head transport mechanism for supporting the playback head movably along the recording medium, an envelope detector for detecting an envelope of the signal sensed by the playback head, and a controller for controlling the head transport mechanism to move the playback head to a position where a desired one of the tracks is located. The head transport mechanism includes a head position detector for detecting a position of the playback head on the recording medium.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus for a signal reproducing apparatus makes use of a rotating magnetic recording medium, especially when such apparatus reproduces information signals recorded on the medium, such as video signals. The tracking apparatus includes a compensation circuit capable of compensating for the envelope level of the signals sensed by the playback head, so that the dynamic range for which the envelope signal is quantized may be narrower, or the quantum level steps may be smaller, and hence the resolution thereof may be enhanced correspondingly.