Abstract: Both a sharp print image and a natural reproduced move image can be obtained from a signal recorded on a recording medium. A recording signal, read from the recording medium, is converted into digital data and is delayed by one field. Data representing the current image in the n-th field and data representing an image in the (n-1)-th field one field ahead of the current image, are applied to a subtracting circuit, to extract a component representing moving image portions. An interpolated image for making movement correction is created from the extracted component representing the moving image portions by an interpolating circuit. Data representing the interpolated image and the data representing the current image in the n-th field are synthesized by a synthesizing circuit, to output composite data as data representing an image which has been subjected to movement correction.

Abstract: A unified compact video camera and video cassette recording and/or reproducing apparatus (VCR) has a video camera unit and a VCR unit which includes a cassette holder arranged in a common hollow body at opposite sides of its median plane, and a grip strap extends along the body at the outside of the cassette holder so that the opposite side of the body is available for the positioning thereat of various control switches for operating the video camera and VCR units.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a memory to store an image signal generated from an image pickup device; a switching circuit to switch an output of the image pickup device and an output of the memory; a vibration sensor to detect the vibration of the apparatus main body; and a control circuit to allow the fetch of the image signal generated from the image pickup device into the memory when the vibration detected by the vibration sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A video camera comprises an image pickup device for converting an optical image applied thereto into an electric signal, a shutter operable for opening a path for applying the optical image to the image pickup device and for closing the path and processing circuitry arranged to receive the electric signal for producing a video signal for recordation, the processing means including compensator circuitry for selectively compensating for the received electric signal responsively to operation of the shutter in producing the video signal for recordation.

Abstract: A double deck camcoder comprising a camera, a double deck video tape recorder, a viewfinder, a monitor, and each input/output signal selection circuit in one housing, wherein the recording operation of the double video tape recorder can be performed successively so the recording operation can be continued for a long time and the power consumption can be reduced by providing the power only to the part which is selected by each input and output selection element.

Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photoghic reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: A VTR with a monitor-equipped built-in camera includes a monitor/VTR portion and a camera portion. The monitor/VTR portion is integrally formed of a VTR portion holding a removable tape cassette and a monitor portion including a liquid crystal display device. A rotary mechanism attaches the camera portion to the monitor/VTR portion in a relatively rotatable manner. The monitor/VTR portion also includes an invertor for inverting a displayed image on the monitor. In the above configuration, the rotary mechanism includes a flexible connecting member for electrically connecting plural rotatable parts. The connecting member includes a coiling portion and first and second connecting portions. The coiling portion has a vortex structure and is disposed in a central portion of the rotary mechanism. The first and second connecting portions are extracted, respectively, from a starting end and a terminal end of the coiling portion, and extend parallel to a coiling central axis of the coiling portion.

Abstract: An electronic camera system including a camera and an external computer. The camera includes an IC memory card, a data writing/reading circuit, an interface circuit, and a connector. The computer includes a connector which can be electrically connected to the connector of the camera, the computer being electrically connected to the IC memory card through the data writing/reading circuit and the interface circuit when the connector of the camera is connected to the connector of the computer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a display on a device to which a detachable solid state memory devices, which includes a plurality of memory blocks, is attached. The method includes the steps of determining to which of a plurality of broadcasting system standards a detected size of each of the memory blocks in the solid state memory device corresponds, and providing a display on an apparatus to which the solid state memory device is attached, such as an electronic still camera, based on the detected size. In a preferred embodiment, the broadcasting standards are NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) and PAL (Phase Alternation Line). A user is warned when a detected size of each of the memory blocks is not a predetermined size, thus, not the correct broadcasting system standard for the apparatus. Each of the memory blocks stores data corresponding to one picture image.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and recording a video signal, which comprises a signal supplying device for picking up images in a picture area having a first or second aspect ratio to supply a first pickup output signal representing images in the picture area with the first aspect ratio or a second pickup output signal representing images in the picture area with the second aspect ratio. The pickup output signal is supplied to a signal processing circuit having a first condition for processing the first pickup output signal to produce a first video signal therefrom or a second condition for processing the second pickup output signal to produce a second video signal; whereafter the first or second video signal produced by the signal processing circuit is recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: A still-picture imaging apparatus includes a manually operable photography starting switch to output a start-of-imaging signal. A control circuit operates dependent upon the start-of-imaging signal to actuate an image pick up device and a color measuring sensor, which measures color temperature for purposes of white-balancing. The control circuit may control an adjuster to adjust white-balance of an image signal from the image pick up device based on a color temperature signal from the color measuring sensor.

Abstract: A still video device in which identical image signals for one still image are recorded in two tracks of a recording medium, and the image signals recorded in the tracks are reproduced. The still video device has two magnetic heads for recording and reproducing the image signals. The image signals reproduced by the two magnetic heads are added together. An envelop-detected signal of the added-together image signals is obtained, and a phase of the reproduced signal is controlled in such a manner that the envelop-detected signal reaches a maximum value, whereby a C/N ratio of the reproduced signal is improved. Further, the recording mode of the image signals are determined based on the added-together image signals.

Abstract: A camcorder which can record and reproduce an image signal, and more particularly relating to a camcorder character editing circuit which can change control pulses recorded on a control track of a tape, thereby recording character information, so that the control pulses can be read out during the reproducing process to thereafter display the character information on an existing image signal. A control circuit outputs character information data and a predetermined control signal to a control head, to thereby be recorded on a control track, and during a reproduction process, outputs character information, detected by a data detecting circuit, to an on-screen-display integrated circuit to thereby display the character on a screen and to thereafter obtain a control signal from the control signal data.

Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photographic reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements each having a smaller number of pixels are employed to realize an imaging device for taking a high-definition picture which is four or more times larger in the number of pixels than each of the solid-state imaging elements, and also an apparatus for recording/playing back (or transmitting) the high-definition picture. A two-dimensional space which includes, at least, nH spatial sampling points in a horizontal direction and nV spatial sampling points (nV lines) in a vertical direction, totaling (nH.times.nV) spatial sampling points, is imaged under the condition that light is sensed at, at most, 1/2 of the sampling points of the two-dimensional space. Thus, the imaging device delivers as its output a video signal containing effective pixel information items which correspond to the light-sensed sampling points and which are, at most, (nH.times.nV)/2 in terms of the number of pixels.

Abstract: A superimpose control device which enables a superimpose function even in a VTR mode, by using a phase convening circuit for synchronizing the phase of a sub-carrier signal with the color burst signal of an applied video signal.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder including input key means having one or more keys, each key capable of representing a plurality of functions selectable by the user to be performed. The control means provides a control signal in response to at least one of the functions selected by the user and the recorder performs the selected function in response to the control signal. Since each key can represent several functions, it will make the recorder more simple in construction, inexpensive and easy to operate.

Abstract: A reproducing device includes a ROM card, a file control data RAM, a control circuit, and a general purpose computer. The control circuit is a peripheral device of the computer, and the ROM card and the file control data RAM are connected to the control circuit. The ROM card stores a format by which the general purpose computer reads data. The file control data RAM stores file control data of the magnetic disk. Image data recorded in a magnetic disk is read by the control circuit and temporarily stored in the buffer RAM. File control data recorded in the magnetic disk is transferred and stored in the file control data RAM in accordance with the format stored in the ROM card, and the computer reads the file control data from the file control data RAM, and the image data from the magnetic disk, in accordance with that format.

Abstract: A still video device includes a magnetic head for reproducing a signal recorded on a floppy disk, a first switch for commanding a successive erasing mode, and a second switch for designating a kind of signal to be erased. The successive erasing mode is set by the first switch so that only a video signal or an audio signal is successively erased from a series of tracks, the signal to be erased being determined by the second switch. The first switch may be an exposure correcting switch provided for correcting an exposure. The second switch may be a select switch provided for selecting an operation mode of the still video device, such as recording, reproduction, and erasing.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which includes a timing pulse generator, an imager having an effective pixel number requiring a predetermined frequency for the horizontal scanning pulse in order to to produce a video signal having a normal aspect ratio and a video signal processing circuit for processing the signal outputted from the imager to generating a video signal. An electronic zoom signal processing circuit is provided for enlarging the video signal generated by the video signal processing circuit in the horizontal direction. The timing pulse generator supplies the imager with a horizontal pulse having a frequency higher than the predetermined frequency required by the effective pixel number of the image input element and the electronic zoom signal processing circuit enlarges the video signal generated in the horizontal direction to produce a video signal having a normal aspect ratio.

Abstract: A photographic system includes a photographing device for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects, the photographing device having an image information production device for producing image information concerning the photography for each of the subjects, and a storage device for storing the produced image information, and a reproduction device for reproducing the image data, the reproduction device having a retrieval condition input device for inputting a retrieval condition, a retrieval device responsive to the retrieval condition input device for retrieving image data having a connection with the input retrieval condition by inference, and a reproducing device for reproducing the retrieved image data.

Abstract: An audio signal recorded on a single track of a magnetic disk and a plurality of corresponding or associated video signals recorded on successive coaxial tracks are reproduced by determining the playback time of the audio signal, and dividing it by the number of video signals. In this manner the video signals are successively reproduced for equal time periods, to thus "synchronize" their display with the continuous, protracted playback of the audio signal.

Abstract: A camcorder having a loudspeaker function has a recording device and includes an input device for receiving an external sound and converting it into a first electric signal and for receiving a sound from a user and converting it into a second electrical signal. The input device is preferably movable between an extended position and a retracted position. Sound processing means are provided and coupled to a speaker for outputting an amplified sound through the speaker. A switching device is provided for sending the first electrical signal to the recording device when the second input device is in the retracted position and for sending the second electrical signal to the sound processing device when the second input device is in the extended position.

Abstract: A camcorder (1) has a VCR portion (2) including a video tape drive (2a), and a camera portion (3) including a lens block (4). The VCR portion and camera portion are rotatably connected (11) for movement to a configuration convenient for photographing (FIG. 2 ) and to a compact configuration convenient for carrying (FIG. 1 ). A switch (1010) switches between a camera mode in the photographing configuration and a VCR mode in the carrying configuration. In the camera mode, the VCR portion records video signals from the lens block on the video tape and, in a VCR operation mode, the VCR portion only plays back previously recorded video tapes. The switch is mounted within one of the VCR and camera portions such that the switch is not accessible from the outside. During rotation, a linkage (100) moves a lens cover (12) between lens covering and exposing positions.

Abstract: A picture editing apparatus of a digital still video camera system includes a digital still video camera and a reproduction device which selectively controls a picture assignment address in a memory card for mixing and displaying a multiple of one or more pictures. An address generator that mixes 2 or more pictures in the same ratio generates an address to enable display of the mixed pictures and to read-out data (digital video signal) representing pictures recorded in the memory card. Therefore, it is capable of mixing pictures corresponding to the picture number recorded in a memory card as a single frame picture and displaying the mixed picture, creating new video images.

Abstract: A portable video camera and recording apparatus is comprised of a video camera section and a recording section. The video camera section is comprised of a CCD, analogue-to-digital converters for converting signals from the CCD into digital form. The digital signals are then processed, converted into analogue form, processed in analog form, and then output as the composite video signal. A digital luminance signal and either a digital composite color signal or a plurality of digital color difference signals are received as inputs into the recording section. If the digital composite color signal is received, then the signals are time-base-compressed, converted into analogue form, the composite color signal is frequency converted and filtered and the luminance signal is frequency modulated and filtered. Next, the signals are added together and recorded onto a recording medium.

Abstract: A portable video camera and recording apparatus is comprised of a video camera section and a recording section. The video camera section is comprised of a CCD, analogue-to-digital converters for converting signals from the CCD into digital form. The digital signals are then processed, converted into analogue form, processed in analog form, and then output as the composite video signal. A digital luminance signal and either a digital composite color signal or a plurality of digital color difference signals are received as inputs into the recording section. If the digital composite color signal is received, then the signals are time-base-compressed, converted into analogue form, the composite color signal is frequency converted and filtered and the luminance signal is frequency modulated and filtered. Next, the signals are added together and recorded onto a recording medium.

Abstract: An electronic still camera is disclosed for recording image data on a recording medium. A photographing optical system is provided for passing therethrough light from a photographing object and forming an image of the object. A pickup element such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is provided for receiving the light passed through the photographing optical system and outputting an image signal corresponding thereto. The image is to be formed on the light receiving surface of the pickup element. A drive mechanism drives the pickup element to be shifted between at least a first position where the light passed through the photographing optical system is incident to the pickup element and a second position which differs from the first position. A recording circuit records the image signal outputted from the pickup element onto a recording medium such as a magnetic disk.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for a video camera having a video tape recording and reproducing device integrated therewith. The apparatus includes an automatic phase control (APC) circuit for controlling the phase of a color signal component contained in a video signal, a generating circuit having a microcomputer for generating a control signal for controlling the iris, focus and white balance of a video signal supplied from the video camera, and a digital operation circuit which is commonly used by the APC and generating circuits. The digital operation circuit includes an input device for receiving an output signal from the APC circuit and the video signal from the video camera, a processing device for processing the output signal and the video signal received by the input device, a device for supplying respective processed signals from the processing device to the APC and generating circuits, and a control device for controlling the input device, the processing device and the supplying device.

Abstract: An audio signal of arbitrary length is recorded on a single track of a magnetic disk, and a plurality of corresponding or associated video signals are recorded on successive coaxial tracks. The deviation of each video signal is counted during the reception of the audio signal, and data representative thereof is superposed on the recorded video signals to "coordinate" subsequent playback.

Abstract: A battery pack adaptor can be attached to any one of a number of brands of video cameras and can have any one of a number of brands of battery packs attached to it, so that any one of the cameras can be operated by any one of the battery packs interchangeably. The adaptor also has an arm for an electric lamp to be powered by the battery pack. The arm can be swung between left and right hand positions depending on the location of the lens system of the camera on which the adaptor is to be used.

Abstract: A video camera combined with VCR comprises a camera unit for imaging an object and producing a video signal representing an image of the object, and a video signal recording unit including a supply reel base, a take-up reel base, and a cylinder assembly made up of a fixed cylinder and a rotatable cylinder having a magnetic head built therein for recording the video signal on magnetic tape. The cylinder assembly is positioned in a direction longitudinally outward of a reel hub with respect to the other reel hub of a tape cassette loaded in the video signal recording unit. The camera unit is positioned toward the object in front of the video signal recording unit.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera records an image to be photographed. A zoom switch is operated to drive a zoom lens of the camera. The zoom lens is driven in response to the operation of the zoom switch, and is controlled so that the zoom lens and the image recorder are alternately activated when the operation of the zoom lens and the operation of the image recorder are simultaneously instructed.

Abstract: A switching circuit to selectively generate either one of an image pickup signal from an image pickup device and a reproduction video signal in which when the recording mode is set, the switching circuit is set to the side on which the image pickup signal from the image pickup device is supplied. When the reproducing mode is set, the switching circuit is set to the side on which the reproduction video signal is supplied. When the instantaneous reproduction is executed in the recording mode, the optical information from an optical information detecting circuit just before the switching circuit is switched from the side on which the image pickup signal is supplied to the side on which the reproduction video signal is supplied is held. An output of the switching circuit is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is supplied to a digital signal processing circuit to process the digital signal and is also supplied to the optical information detecting circuit to detect the optical information.

Abstract: A digital electronic still camera wherein additional information such as an operation characteristic of the camera can be recorded into and reproduced from a removable record medium. A pickup image signal is picked up by a CCD image sensor and converted into a digital signal by an analog to digital converter. The digital signal is temporarily stored into a digital memory and written onto a removable optical disk apparatus. The digital electronic still camera further comprises an additional information recording and reproducing circuit for recording and reproducing additional information such as an operation characteristic of the camera onto or from the optical disk apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus of an electronic camera according to the present invention has a lens barrier arranged on an object side of a photographing lens; an imaging device capable of changing electric charge storage time; a lens barrier state-detecting means for outputting a signal indicating an opening state of the lens barrier after detecting the opening state of the lens barrier; a release switch for starting a photographing operation; an imaging device control means for starting electric charge storage of the device when the signal of the opening state of the lens barrier is outputted from the detecting means and for outputting a charge termination signal when the charge is terminated; and a lens barrier opening and closing driving means for driving the lens barrier to open on the basis of a turning-on signal of the release switch and for driving the lens barrier to close on the basis of the charge termination signal outputted from the control means.

Abstract: A system for wireless transmission and reception of a video signals has a transmitting apparatus provided with terminals corresponding and attachable to terminals of a camcorder or other such video camera body so as to facilitate signal connection with an input source. Receiving apparatus is provided with an input switch which automatically switches between a broadcast TV signal and a signal transmitted from the video camera, depending on the absence or presence of a signal transmitted from the video camera.

Abstract: In a multi-function digital CCD camera according to the present invention, the image signal outputted from the solid-state image pick-up device is inputted into a signal processing circuit where the signal is shaped into an image signal. The image signal from the signal processing circuit is inputted into the image quality changeover circuit having a plurality of signal processing paths, each with a peculiar signal processing characteristic. In the image quality changeover circuit, the plurality of signal processing paths are combined based on a control signal from the image quality selective circuit. The image signal obtained from respective signal processing paths are inputted into the image composition circuit. The signal obtained from the image composition circuit is inputted into the color encoder where the signal is encoded into a camera output video signal.

Abstract: An electronic camera has sensors for detecting an image of an object, the three dimensional position and azimuth of the camera, the focusing amount and the zoom amount. The image is recorded on a recording medium together with information concerning the three dimensional position and azimuth, the focusing amount and the zoom amount. An image reproducing device for the camera reproduces the recorded image on the basis of the information so that an interrelationship between a plurality of the recorded images is clearly reproduced. Accordingly, the camera and the reproducing device are suitable for combining the recorded images so as to prepare a panoramic image, or to locate a desired article within an image of several different articles.

Abstract: A still camera having at least one motor or a recording circuit, in addition to a flash device. The flash device includes a charging circuit for accumulating charge. The charging circuit can carry out a charging operation while the motor or the recording circuit is actuated but the charging current is reduced to some extent, so as not to demand an excessive current from a battery power supply and to prevent excessive audible oscillator noise, while minimizing the total charging period. The invention is particularly advantageous in electronic still cameras.

Abstract: Image recording/reproducing apparatus includes a converter for converting radiation from an object into a color image signal. A digital color processor is provided for changing the color image signal converted by the converter to a digital color image. The digital color processor includes a digital signal processor and a ROM for storing program software for the digital signal processor. Preferably, switching structure is provided for switching different types of signals to common A/D converter structure.

Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photoghica reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a camera body which has recording device for recording electrical picture signals from an image pickup device and electrical so-and signals received by a sound receiver onto a recording medium, and an adaptor detachably mounted to the camera body. The adaptor has a sound memory for temporarily memorizing the sounds for a predetermined period of time to output the same to the camera body, and a remote controller for outputting a remote control signal for remotely controlling the operation of the camera body. The camera body has a control unit for controlling the operation of the camera in accordance with the remote control signal from the remote controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording a video signal while forming a great number of parallel tracks on a tape-shaped recording medium, and reproducing the video signal from the track, wherein for a specified picture on the recording medium, a processing code to be used in printing the picture is recorded on the recording medium in correspondence with the specified picture, whereby without recourse to an actual printing of the specified picture, it is possible that only the practice of recording the processing code for the specified picture of the tape-shaped recording medium suffices for starting a selecting operation for the next picture.

Abstract: An object tracing device comprises an area setting circuit which sets a detection area on an image sensing plane for detection of information about an object image formed on the image sensing plane; an object tracing circuit arranged to detect any change occurring in the position of the object image on the image sensing plane and to cause the set position of the detection area to change while following the object image; a recording instruction circuit for giving a recording start instruction to a recording circuit which is arranged to record image information including the object image obtained on the image sensing plane; and a control circuit which causes the object tracing circuit to begin to act in response to the instructing action of the recording instruction circuit.

Abstract: In a filmless digital camera, each image is individually evaluated and the compression applied in such manner as to retain maximum quality while fitting the data into the pre-assigned memory. For example, such a camera may have a stated image storage capacity for designated number of images, for example, thirty-two black and white images. In one embodiment of this invention, the image data is generated as analog data and converted into digital data. These data representing one complete image, are divided into small discrete blocks. Each of these blocks is compressed using one of the standard compression methods such as the discrete cosine transform (DCT). Each block of compressed data is then examined and a determination made as to the quality of an image resulting from such compression. If the quality falls below a pre-set standard, the block of data is compressed by an alternate method, for example, by differential coding.

Abstract: A system comprises a video camera for producing one field portion of a video signal in a second predetermined period during a first predetermined period which is longer than the second predetermined period, a recorder for recording the one field portion of the video signal from the video camera in the second predetermined period during the first predetermined period and a display device arranged to make a vertical scanning from the upper to the lower side of an effective display surface in the second predetermined period during the first predetermined period for displaying an image related to the video signal produced from the video camera.

Abstract: An image display control apparatus ensures reduction of memory capacity and cost. The apparatus generates an image superimposing instruction when a second screen effect control is not performed, and image data of first to third frame memories are selectively output according to a select signal in the absence of the image superimposing instruction. Image data for superimposition and background data are stored in the third frame memory and a background data memory respectively, and the coincidence of the stored background and superimposition image data is determined. When the image superimposing instruction is issued, image data of the third frame memory and image data produced based on the image data of the first or second frame memory are selectively output according to the results of discrimination to yield single combined image data.

Abstract: The image sensing apparatus of the invention can easily and promptly search those areas of the main tracks of a floppy disk which store no data, or search or edit (e.g. copy) stored data, with the use of control data of a queue track and without an overhead. Further, it can automatically detect whether a recording medium is formatted upon insertion thereof, and then format it in a suitable manner if it has no formats.

Abstract: Still image recording/playback apparatus comprising an electronic still camera having operating components including an image sensor for sensing an image and producing image signals representative thereof, a recorder for recording image signals derived from the image sensor, playback circuitry for playing back the recorded image signals and a camera controller for controlling at least the recorder and playback circuitry. An electronic player is selectively connectable to the camera and has a signal processor for processing the image signals played back by the playback circuitry to produce viewable picture signals, and a player controller for selectively controlling the operation of the electronic player. When a connection between the camera and player is detected, a predetermined operating mode for both the camera and player is established.