Abstract: A magnetic read/write head is supported on the carriage that carries the platen of a passbook printer. The passbook is moved to the printing station and a sensor is provided for detecting the presence of the passbook. A height adjusting member operates to move the read/write head into position for writing data into and for reading data from a magnetic stripe on the passbook.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus includes a field memory for storing one field of a reproduced video signal, a signal separator for extracting a horizontal sync pulse signal and a vertical sync pulse signal from the reproduced video signal, and an address counter responsive to the horizontal sync pulse signal for addressing the field memory. The apparatus in addition includes a pseudo signal generator and a reset signal generator. The pseudo signal generator is for producing a pseudo vertical sync pulse signal delayed relative to the vertical sync pulse signal. The reset signal generator is connected to the vertical sync pulse separator and the pseudo signal generator for producing a reset signal to reset the address counter. The reset signal generator normally uses the vertical sync pulse signal to produce the reset signal, but uses the pseudo vertical sync pulse signal to produce the reset signal when a vertical sync pulse is not obtained from the vertical sync pulse separator.

Abstract: A skip-field guard-bandless video tape recorder records and plays back adjacent tracks on a video tape with two closely adjacent heads of opposing head gap azimuth angles (to suppress cross-talk), only during alternate (odd) half-rotations of the head drum. Unavoidable cross-talk of synchronization pulses from adjacent tracks does not create visible interference or timing errors during playback by virtue of a special offset angle .theta..sub.1, between the adjacent recording heads, proportional to the linear offset distance between adjacent tracks. During playback, skipped fields are "filled-in" by a repetition of each recorded field through a second (duplicate) pair of closely adjacent heads of opposing azimuth positioned to retrace the recorded tracks during the other alternate (even) half-rotations of the head drum. An offset angle .theta..sub.2 between the two head pairs (i.e.

Abstract: A variable speed magnetic medium recording and playback apparatus for reproducing signals prerecorded in defined tracks on a magnetic recording medium by cyclical helical scanning and generating an output video signal subject to noise when more than one track is scanned in a single cycle. The magnetic reproducing apparatus includes a variable speed rotary head for helically scanning the prerecorded signals on the recording medium, a variable speed drive device or a capstan device for moving the recording medium in relation to the rotary head, and a circuit for controlling the speed of the rotary head in correspondence with changes in the speed of the variable speed drive device for reducing noise in the output signal of the apparatus.

Abstract: A disc data reproducing apparatus, including a rotating mechanism for rotating the disc about a central axis, an optical head disposed opposite the disc for receiving data from the disc, and a moving mechanism for moving the optical head along the radial direction of the disc. The optical head is disposed on one side of the central axis of the rotating mechanism and the moving mechanism is disposed on the other side of the central axis so as to reduce the space requirements for housing the head and moving mechanism within the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing special motion effects such as slow or fast motion, still frame and other effects from video magnetic tape is disclosed which is particularly applicable to helical wrap recording and reproducing apparatus. The apparatus employs a transducing head that is mounted on a revolving scanning drum, with the head being movable in a line generally transverse to the recorded track. The present invention utilizes the transverse positioning of the head to accurately follow a track during reproducing or playback and, at the completion of the track, to properly position or set the head in position to either play the next adjacent successive track, replay the same track, or play yet another track so that special motion effects can be achieved without experiencing picture breakup or unwanted noise.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing an information signal from a tape-shaped record bearing medium on which many helical tracks are formed, which is so constructed that while the tape-shaped record bearing medium is intermittently moved in longitudinal direction, the moving distance during traveling of the medium is determined by using a reproduced signal from the head when the medium is stopped, whereby the precise tracking is maintained constantly during travelling.

Abstract: Four picture field memories which contain storage places for luminance data, chrominance data, error flags and write flags are switchable from write in to read out by changeover switches controlled by an access control unit for connection of the address and control inputs of the memories either to a write in control circuit or a read out control circuit. The access control unit can be set for operation at normal speed, which is the recording speed of the tape from which signals are read out, below normal speed or above normal speed. The read-out control circuit is synchronized by a synchronizing signal that contains a vertical scan frequency reference pulse. The several picture field memories are cyclically interchanged, written into and read out from. One of the picture field memories is read out while the others are available for write-in. The incoming error flags are passed on. Use is made of write flags and error flags to improve operation at speeds different from the recording speed.

Abstract: An electronic camera has an image pickup section and a detachable recording section. The image pickup section includes an image pickup element for converting an optical image into an analog image signal. The image pickup section also includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog image signal into digital image signals which are stored in a digital memory within the image pickup section. The detachable recording section includes a digital-to-analog converter for converting the digital signal output from the image pickup section into an analog signal which is recorded in an analog memory within the recording section.

Abstract: An optical disc reproducing apparatus reproduces a pre-recorded signal from an intended track of an optical disc by detecting reflected light beams to main and sub light beams reflected from the optical disc, where the main light beam is irradiated as a main beam spot on the track while the sub light beams are irradiated as sub beam spots at intermediate portions between two successive tracks one of which is the intended track. The main beam spot jumps from the intended track to an adjacent track at a predetermined rate while maintaining a relative positional relationship of the main and sub beam spots in a speed-change mode.

Abstract: A still picture recording/reproducing device using a recording disk. For still picture reproduction, a manual selection is made as to whether a field or a frame is to be reproduced. The selected quantity is read from the disk and stored in a memory from which it is repeatedly read out for still picture display.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical disk player, having a memory for storing at least one frame of a video signal, under control of a programmable system controller. The disk player may be operated to set the apparatus in a pause mode at the very beginning of the desired program area on the disk. The disk player also may be operated to produce still pictures from information stored in the memory, rather than directly from the disk. The disk player can be controlled to return to a last scene that was viewed by utilizing signals uniquely identifying the particular disk and particular address on the disk where the last scene was recorded. The disk player can be operated to retrieve a last scene in response to the duration of disk reproduction time that was passed.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus disclosed herein uses a disk-type storage medium which has a spiral track divided into a plurality of continuous logical tracks. Each logical track extends at an angle less than 360.degree.. A head executes a track jump for retracing a desired logical track during tracing a logical track next to the desired track. Thus, no specific retrace area is necessary to be provided on the storage medium.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus for reproducing video signals from a record bearing medium on which many recording tracks are formed in parallel to each other with a given-period portion of the video signal recorded in each of the tracks are arranged: To compare, on the basis of signals reproduced by a reproducing head, the level of a reference signal with that of a reproduced state detection signal the level of which varies according to the reproduced state of the video signal; to determine, on the basis of the result of comparison, whether or not the video signal reproduced by the reproducing head is to be written into a memory device which is capable of storing the given-period portion of the video signal therein; and to change a level relation between the reproduced state detection signal and the reference signal from one level relation over to another according to the track pitch of the recording tracks which is detected using the signals reproduced by the reproducing head.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signals is disclosed. First and second video signals from an imaging unit and an external video input, respectively, are coupled to the apparatus. A converter circuit selectively acts to form a time expanded or time compressed version of the input video signal depending upon whether the input is the first or second input signal. In the former case, the first input video is recorded on a recording medium and the time expanded version coupled to a display, while in the latter case, the second input video signal is coupled to the display and the compressed version recorded. During the reproduction, the converter circuit also generates a time expanded version of the reproduced signal for coupling to the display.

Abstract: A disk player in which the audio signal can be reproduced during FAST and SLOW playing modes. The speed of the spindle motor is controlled in accordance with the phase and frequency difference between a reference synchronizing signal and a synchronizing signal derived from information read from the disk. The frequency of the reference synchronizing signal is made variable to vary the speed of the spindle and hence the speed of reproduction of the disk.

Abstract: A spindle servo circuit controlled according to a time base. Fine time base tuning is performed in a clock driven CCD. In a scan mode, tracks are alternately reproduced and jumped. The fine tuning is turned off at the start of jumping (which occurs after a full video field has been written into a video memory) and the center frequency of a VCO clock is decreased so as to slow the shifting of the CCD.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus of a video disc player, wherein for a special reproduction such as a fast forward reproduction, or a reverse reproduction from a CLV disc, a field memory is provided for storing video signals of length of one field. A reading-in operation to the field memory is synchronized with a reproduced synchronizing signal. A writing-out operation from the field memory is synchronized with a reference synchronizing signal. A discontinuity of phase caused by a track jump is eliminated, and a stabilized picture on a TV monitor can be provided.

Abstract: Signal heads are displaced relative to a recording surface on a stationary recording medium having a separate surface on which visual data is recorded and displayed. Differential drive mechanism and adjustable resistor means effects signal head displacement along a predetermined path on the recording surface at a constant speed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having a delay circuit with a plurality of output terminals, one output terminal providing a delayed output video signal for which a delay amount corresponding to a deviation of an H alignment between adjoining record tracks is provided and another output terminal providing another delayed output video signal for which a delay amount corresponding to one horizontal synchronization interval (1H) is provided, and having signal selection switch circuitry which sequentially selects the reproduced video signal to be sent to the delay circuit and which also selects the delayed reproduced video signal during an interval for which an auxiliary head is selected in place of a normal record/playback head in a variable speed reproduction mode, so that a reproduced video signal with continuous H alignment can be secured and video images with a good picture quality can be achieved.

Abstract: When a speed change occurs during a reproduction mode of a VCR, an analog video signal is developed that has a width determined by synchronizing the analog video signal to a point in time when an electrical potential for the head switching signal is shifted. The analog video signal is applied as a compensating signal to video signals so that a rising level is compensated for near a forced synchronizing signal. Thereby, a condition is provided for the forced synchronizing signal to be reliably detected without being effected by noise signals corresponding to the forced synchronizing signal in order to produce a stable picture.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the reproducing speed for a video disk player in fine speed increments. Every time a vertical synchronizing pulse is delivered the number of tracks to be jumped is determined based on a base speed derived from the integer part of the ratio of an entered speed parameter and half a full scale of a counter. An additional track is jumped when the product of the number of vertical synchronizing pulses and the remainder portion of the above ratio exceeds the full scale of the counter.

Abstract: A multiplied speed reproducing apparatus for performing reproduction at a multiplied speed by alternately reading information into a video memory for repeated reading out and track jumping. The contents of the video memory are renewed for at least one field of video information existing between two synchronizing pulses following a fixed circumferential position of the disk and then the tracks are jumped.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous depiction of at least two temporally sequential events, particularly sports events in the form of racing or jumping, on adjoining picture surfaces such as of at least one picture screen, with at least sections of the events being stored, via a video device, in at least one picture memory. Thus sports events of the type described above can be organized in a more interesting and expressive manner for television viewers, and sportspersons and managers are given the possibility of comparing, as soon and as exactly as possible, individual races and jumps, etc. This is achieved by showing simultaneously with the direct showing and/or broadcasting of the live event at least one additional event of the same type, which is pre-stored in the picture memory, synchronously and/or spatially in parallel with the live event.

Abstract: An initial state setting system in a still picture recording and reproduction device in which a video signal is read from a disk and written into a memory and then repeatedly read from the memory for still picture display. When power is first applied to the device characterizing information recorded on the disk is immediately read into the memory.

Abstract: A portable television camera and recording device is provided for generating, monitoring, and recording still and motion picture information. The device is provided within a single housing permitting the housing to be pointed at an object or scene to be recorded. A television camera or flying spot scanner, a television recorder such as a magnetic tape video recorder, and a visual monitor such as a cathode ray tube are supported within the housing. Manually operable controls such as switches which may be selectively actuated to perform such functions as monitoring and/or recording are provided. The major components of the portable unit, such as the television camera, magnetic tape recorder, monitor and electronic control units, are preferably modular and capable of being removed and replaced without difficulty.

Abstract: A video player, specially adapted to accommodate "mixed field and frame" recordings, incorporates a frame store for playing back still pictures recorded on a magnetic disk as either single field or dual field (full frame) video signals. A repetitive, interlaced output signal is taken from the frame store either directly or through an interpolation circuit. While interpolation benefits single field playback, it is particularly useful for incrementally achieving full frame playback: An interpolated frame is provided for displaying a single field recording and for displaying a still picture before--and until--the second frame of a full frame recording is fully available from the frame store. Once both fields of the picture are stored in the frame store, then and only then is the disk drive motor turned off, albeit that an interpolated frame is displayed before this occurs.

Abstract: A still video signal playback apparatus having the capability of recording a still video signal includes an ordinary recording mode and a recording review mode. When the ordinary recording mode has been set, an inputted video signal is recorded on a predetermined track of a magnetic disk by a magnetic head, after which the magnetic head is moved to the next track. When the recording review mode has been set, the apparatus is returned to a playback mode after the inputted video signal is recorded, the recorded picture is played back for a fixed period of time, and then the magnetic head is moved to the next track to stand by for the next command.

Abstract: A multi-channel recording apparatus capable of recording information signals in a plurality of areas on a recording medium, having a function to record, in connection with a first instruction information for change-over of the recording areas, a second instruction information concerning the recording area to be selected after the change-over, together with the information signal to be recorded in the area.

Abstract: In a method of recording video information in a record carrier, each picture of N.times.M picture elements being divided into subpictures of n.times.m picture elements, the video information of each subpicture is encoded in accordance with a transform coding and recorded on the record carrier. Moreover, corresponding subpictures of two pictures are compared with each other. To both subpictures a motion code is assigned, which motion codes are the same if the subpictures do not differ substantially from one another, but which are not the same if the subpictures differ substantially from each other. The motion is recorded on the record carrier together with the coded information of the subpicture. Moreover, different transform codings may be applied to the subpictures. A higher-order transform coding yields a more accurate information of the subpicture which is encoded. The associated transform code is also recorded on the record carrier.

Abstract: A video replay store for a multi-channel digital video tape recorder, comprises a respective channel store for each channel, each channel store comprising a plurality of field stores which are written in and read from cyclically, a respective field boundary detector for each channel, each field boundary detector supplying a first pulse in response to each field boundary where an odd field changes to an even field, and a second pulse in response to each field boundary where an even field changes to an odd field, in the off-tape data in the respective channel, and a replay store controller for supplying write requests and read requests in a predetermined sequence to all of the channel stores, the replay store controller stepping on to the next state in the predetermined sequence in response to each first first pulse following a second pulse and each first second pulse following a first pulse.

Abstract: A picture processing system for displaying a plurality of still pictures recorded in a recording member. The recording member has index tracks for storing a series of information representative of a plurality of squeezed still pictures corresponding to the original still pictures. A group of squeezed still pictures is displayed in multiple segmented areas formed on an index screen accompanied by reference numerals. A light pen and a sensing circuit is provided for rearranging the index screen. The light pen detects the position of said segmented areas and intermediate regions respectively provided between two adjacent areas for processing the rearrangement.

Abstract: A control pulse recording circuit for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having standard and expanded play modes, comprising an oscillator for generating a predetermined signal having a predetermined frequency which is higher than that of the vertical synchronizing signal of a video signal; a counter for counting the predetermined signal to produce a 30 Hz signal when a counted value in the counter reaches a threshold value with a timing which has been delayed by a predetermined time from every other vertical synchronizing signal in a recording mode; a circuit supplied with the 30 Hz signal for producing 30 Hz pulses; and control head circuitry for recording the 30 Hz pulses on a magnetic tape in the recording mode. The 30 Hz pulses are recorded on the magnetic tape with a timing delayed by a delay time from a timing of every other vertical synchronizing signal in both the standard and expanded play modes.

Abstract: A helical scan type video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a rotary body mounted with a pair of rotary magnetic heads at positions having an angular separation of approximately 180.degree. on a rotational plane of the rotary body so that the pair of rotary magnetic heads have mutually different height positions along an axial direction of the rotary body, a mechanism for intermittently transporting a magnetic tape which is wrapped obliquely around a peripheral surface of the rotary drum for a predetermined angular range, and a circuit for successively recording and reproducing while the magnetic tape is stationary video signals each amounting to one field on and from a pair of successive tracks by the pair of rotary magnetic heads in time lapse recording and reproducing modes.

Abstract: In a slow reproducing apparatus, a magnetic tape is intermittently driven. In a tape stop state during the intermittent drive operation, a video signal for one field is written in a field memory, and in a tape moving state during the intermittent driving operation, the written signal is read out from the field memory. A means for correcting a read timing error of the video signal caused by a variation in tape stop position during the intermittent driving operation is used, thus obtaining a noiseless, stable, slow reproduced image.

Abstract: Finite audio and video signals are subjected to a digitizing code format and converted into blocks of audio and video words respectively. For the transmission of these blocks via a record carrier (2), for example a compact disc, the words are arranged in frames, Each frame has a frame header (8.1) and a data field (8.2). Such a data field contains information words in the form of either audio words or video words. The header indicates whether the associated data field contains audio words or video words. At least two audio signals associated with a video signal are recorded on the record carrier. An example of this is a "slide show" in which the explanatory text is available in two or more languages (e for English, f for French). The frame header of the frames containing an encoded audio signal also indicate to which one of the two or more audio signals the information words in an audio frame belong. Further, reference signals and additional frames (6)are recorded in the record carrier.

Abstract: In a still picture recording apparatus such as an electronic still camera, an audio signal compressed in its time base is recorded on a magnetic disk together with a video signal. In order to relate the timing of recording the audio signal to that of the video signal, the audio signal to be recorded is processed in an audio signal processing circuit in response to the manipulation of a manual switch, and the video signal to be recorded is processed in a video signal processing circuit after a required delay time relative to the audio signal, so that the audio signal and the video signal can be recorded in matching relation without the possibility of mismanipulation and without the need for troublesome recording procedures.

Abstract: With an audiovisual information presentation system, pictorial image data, drawn on paper sheets in advance and to be optically projected on a screen using an optical projector, is sequentially sensed by a TV camea. Speech corresponding to the image data is input through a microphone. A data storage unit stores the image data and corresponding audio data together with code data for identifying pairs of image and audio data. When a search mode is designated, a desired pair of image and audio data is automatically searched from the data storage unit under the control of a CPU, and is reproduced by electrical monitor display units and a loudspeaker unit independent of image display on the projection screen.

Abstract: A motion analyzer in which full frames of video information from two video imagers are recorded in interleaved fashion on magnetic tape. The motion analyzer records at multiple frame rates in a block sequential format in which blocks of parallel lines of video information are recorded sequentially on magnetic tape. Frames of video in block format from one imager are alternately recorded on magnetic tape with frames of video in block format from the other imager. Although the effective recorded frame rate for each imager is one-half of the analyzer frame rate, each recorded frame has been exposed at the analyzer frame speed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a memory circuit for storing a video signal derived from a high speed scanning video camera the scanning speed of which is faster than the scanning speed of a standard television signal and a plurality of rotating magnetic heads supplied with video signals of a plurality of channels which are read out in parallel from the memory circuit. The video signals of the plurality of channels are recorded on a magnetic tape by the plurality of rotating magnetic heads so as to sequentially form slant adjoining tracks.

Abstract: The picture image recording device disclosed uses a recording medium which permits setting a plurality of recording tracks apart from each other for recording separate picture image signals on each of them. In the improvement made by this invention, the operating mode of the device is shiftable at least between two modes including a first mode in which an image recording operation is performed only on one recording track and a second mode in which an image recording operation is performed continuously or sequentially on a plurality of recording tracks.

Abstract: An information retrieval system adapted for an electronic dictionary comprises, an input device actuated for entering an entered word, a memory circuit adapted for storing a word equivalent to the entered word and the number of a track related to the word, a video disk for recording information related to the word, the information being random accessed, and an access circuit responsive to the number of the track specified by the memory circuit for accessing the video disk to access the information from the video disk.

Abstract: In an information recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which a spindle motor rotates a magnetic recording disc at a predetermined speed while a transducer head is in contacting relation to the disc for recording and/or reproducing information signals in substantially circular concentric record tracks thereon, and a transducer positioning device is coupled to the transducer head for positioning the latter on a selected one of said record tracks; a memory is provided for storing identification signals which correspond to the various types of information signals recorded in concentric record tracks, respectively, and a display is coupled to the identification signal storing memory for displaying simultaneously the identification signals for all of the record tracks.

Abstract: During still reproduction, slow-motion reproduction and the like reproduction mode in a magnetic reproducing apparatus, a magnetic tape is travelled intermittently at a standard travel speed, i.e., at the same tape speed as that for recording, and a video signal reproduced over a period during which the magnetic tape runs at the standard travel speed is written into an image memory. During the standard travel speed period of the magnetic tape, a magnetic head correctly traces recording tracks on the magnetic tape and so the video signal of less noise is stored in the image memory. The video signal stored in the image memory is read out to provide for reproduced still and slow-motion output signal.

Abstract: A still image reproduction apparatus wherein still images recorded on tracks on a disk are visually reproduced for a predetermined minimum time interval in response to the direction and amount of rotation of an operator adjustable dial so that the operator can visually identify the still image displayed on the monitor when the operator dials quick switching of the still images in a sequential reproduction mode.

Abstract: A television synchronizing signal processing circuit includes a reproduction/demodulation circuit for repetitively reading a video signal corresponding to one field from a video signal recording medium and demodulating the video signal and for separating a synchronizing signal from a reproduced/demodulated signal, a first delay circuit for permitting the video signal of the reproduced/demodulated signal which is supplied for every other field from the reproduction/demodulation circuit to be delayed by a time corresponding to one half the period H of a horizontal synchronizing signal, a second delay circuit for delaying a vertical synchronizing signal of the synchronizing signal which is supplied from the reproduction/demodulation circuit, and a waveform synthesizing circuit for synthesizing output signals from the first and second delay circuits to produce a composite video signal. In the processing circuit, the second delay circuit has a variable time TD which is variable within a range of0<TD<H/2.

Abstract: A playback apparatus in an electronic still camera system is so structured that digital processing is applied to regenerated image signals and plural pictures are simultaneously displayed on a monitor screen. With this construction, the contents of record on a magnetic disk can be searched within a short time.

Abstract: In apparatus for recording/reproducing a composite video signal on and from a rotary recording medium (1), the field of the composite video signal is detected and only odd or even field signal is delayed by one half (H/2) a horizontal scanning period so that the composite video signal is changed to a modified composite video signal which is recorded on the rotary recording medium (1) together with a field distinguishing signal (Sf) produced using the result of the field detection. The field distinguishing signal (Sf) is arranged to be located at a given time position with respect to a predetermined vertical sync signal of every one frame period of the recording signal on a rotary recording medium (1) driven and rotated at a rotational period equal to the vertical scanning period of the composite video signal.

Abstract: A completely electronic color camera for electronically recording an image of an object. The image signals from a solid-state image sensor having color filters are converted to digital form so that the digitized image signals are applied to the same number of coding compression circuits, e.g. differential pulse code modulation circuits, as the kinds of colors of the color filters per scanning line, are subjected to a color separation coding processing and are then stored directly in a memory without performing any additional processing. Error detecting and correctng circuits are provided. Error detecting and correcting data and lens setting data are added to the image data and recorded. The camera is reduced in size, is low in power consumption and requires a reduced memory capacity per frame.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording and playing back a plurality of digitally encoded audio messages along with associated video data. The messages are combined along with a plurality of corresponding audio message initial data address signals and recorded on a recording medium with the video data. In playback, the address and audio data signals are retrieved from the recording medium and stored. The address signals are utilized to access selectable messages for decoding and playback with selected video data. Codes can be included to control the decoding rate in accordance with the sample rate of the audio message data.