Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus having a plurality of signal processing circuits where predetermined data is to be output sequentially through the plurality of signal processing circuits, when signal processing is performed at each signal processing circuit, timing necessary for respective signal processing is added to the data to be transmitted, as a header information, so that a complicated construction, such that a circuit for obtaining timing necessary for signal processing is added at each signal processing circuit, can be avoided, and the data can be securely processed and delivered at each signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A formatting apparatus authenticates an information signal prior to mass duplication of the signal by analyzing the signal to detect the presence or absence of a security signal therein, inserting a security signal into the information signal, and recording the modified signal only if no security signal was detected.

Abstract: An input digital information signal is prediction-encoded and thereby difference signals are generated. The difference signals are block segmented. A maximum value and a minimum value of each block are detected. Whether or not the range of levels of the maximum value MAX and the minimum value MIN crosses 0, a mode determining circuit 5 determines a quantizing mode and generates a mode signal MODE that represents the determined quantizing mode. When the range of the levels crosses 0, a first quantizing mode is selected. Otherwise, a second quantizing mode is selected. In the first quantizing mode, the quantizing circuit 6 performs the normal quantizing process. In the second quantizing mode, the quantizing circuit 6 performs a code conversion in such a manner that the number of bits of quantized output data is smaller than that of the normal quantizing process.

Abstract: In a digital video coding apparatus, the image compression rate can be improved and the worsening of image quality can be decreased. As well as conducting the motion compensated prediction, the predictive residue at this point is obtained, and in addition to the above, as well as conducting the prediction processing among hierarchical images by using the hierarchical image, the predictive residue at this point is obtained, and the predictive residue according to the motion compensated prediction and the predictive residue according to the hierarchical prediction are adaptively selected and combined and this selected or combined predictive residue is encoded.

Abstract: This invention employs a scheme to allow an input video signal to undergo encoding, e.g., predictive encoding, DCT processing, quantization at fixed quantization step size and variable length encoding to generate first encoded data to determine (calculate) allocated code quantity every frame or every GOP on the basis of data quantity every predetermined time, e.g., every frame or every GOP of the first encoded data and total quantity of usable data to encode the input video signal every predetermined time on the basis of the allocated code quantity to generate second encoded data. Thus, variable rate encoding such that encoding rate changes every predetermined time is realized. As a result, even if pictures (frames) of complicated are successive, there is no possibility that quantization step size is caused to be large with respect to these pictures as in the conventional apparatus. Thus, uniform high picture quality can be obtained through the entirety.

Abstract: An apparatus for replaying a disc-shaped recording medium on which first video data where audio data or all of video information for one frame through MPEG has been compressed, and second video data where video information before and after the frame in question has been compressed have been recorded together with discrimination data indicating the kind of the recording medium, includes a receiver, a replay unit and a display data producing unit. The receiver receives a plurality of disc-shaped recording media. The replay unit is selectively equipped with the disc-shaped recording media which have been received in the receiver, with the relative movement with respect to the receiver. The replay unit includes a head for reading data recorded on the loaded disc-shaped recording medium. The replay unit conducts the replay processing of the data read out from the head.

Abstract: A difference vector determination element used in an apparatus for coding motion vector includes register memories (PMV) of which number is equal to sum of maximum transmission numbers N and M of forward predictive and backward predictive motion vectors. Motion vector counter counts the number of transmission of motion vectors to output a motion vector count signal. Register index designation signal generator designates indices of (1.about.N (N+1).about.(N+M)) in order of transmission of forward predictive or backward predictive motion vectors on the basis of attached information such as motion compensation mode, prediction type, and picture structure, etc. of motion vector, and the motion vector count signal from the motion vector counter to allow switch to perform switching operation, thus allowing register memories (PMV) and motion vectors to have one-to-one correspondence relationship.

Abstract: An 8-9 converting circuit converts 8-bit data into 9-bit parallel data. A sync pattern/ID pattern adding circuit adds sync patterns and ID patterns to the 9-bit parallel data and sets values for the ID patterns according to a predetermined correlation between a position of an mth ID pattern and a distance from an nth sync pattern to an mth sync pattern. A parallel/serial converting circuit converts the parallel data into serial data and the resultant serial data is recorded on a tape. Data reproduced from a tape is supplied to a serial/parallel converting circuit which converts the serial data into parallel data. A sync pattern/ID pattern extracting circuit extracts sync patterns and ID patterns from the parallel data, extracting as valid an mth sync pattern whose corresponding mth ID pattern has a value set in accordance with the predetermined correlation. An 8-9 inverse converting circuit converts the parallel data into 8-bit data corresponding to the extracted sync patterns and ID patterns.

Abstract: A video processing method and apparatus for processing video frames comprising animated images so as to blur movement of the animated images between successive frames, the method or apparatus comparing a first input frame with the following input frame; identifying moving areas in the first input frame by the comparison; calculating the velocity of the movement of the moving areas between the first and following input frame; summing, only for each input pixel site within the identified moving areas of the input frame, the pixel value of each input pixel site and adjacent pixel values determined according to the calculated velocities and a predetermined aperture type for the input frame; and providing an output frame from at least the summed pixel values and pixel values of areas of the input frame other than the moving area, the adjacent pixel values either being the pixel values of pixel sites in the input frame which are spatially adjacent in the direction of the velocity or predicted temporally adjacent pi

Abstract: A data cartridge drive for use with a data cartridge having a front end formed with a magnetic head insert recess and a lid pivotably mounted to the front end for openably closing the magnetic head insert recess. The data cartridge drive includes a housing; a front panel mounted on a front end of the housing and having a cartridge insert opening from which the data cartridge is inserted into the housing; a lid opening member located in the housing at a position near the front panel on one lateral side of the cartridge insert opening, the lid opening member being slidable in an insert direction of the data cartridge and an eject direction opposite to the insert direction and being adapted to relatively come into abutment against a counter end portion of the lid of the data cartridge inserted from the cartridge insert opening into the housing to pivotally open the lid; and a biasing member for biasing the lid opening member in the eject direction of the data cartridge.

Abstract: A video data communication system and method are disclosed which provides for the secure transmission of video data among devices connected to a video data bus. The video data is transmitted with address information corresponding to a particular device or, alternatively, video data is encrypted and transmitted on the data bus without address information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically reading out pre-recorded signals on an optical disc by way of data reproduction. If the quantity of playback data read out from an optical disc 1 and stored in a memory 8 during data reproduction is found to be in excess of a quantity for one rotation of the optical disc, data writing in the memory 6 is discontinued and an optical pickup 3 is caused to make track jump to a reproduced track under control by a controller 7. A servo gain control signal or a servo offset control signal is sent to a servo circuit 8 which then performs focusing servo control or tracking servo control of the optical pickup 3. The writing stop position on the optical disc 1 is then detected and data playback is re-initiated. Stabilized data playback is enabled even if servo error signals are fluctuated within the optical disc or the servo error signals are changed due to temperature changes in the optical pickup or in the error signal detecting amplifier.

Abstract: Recording unit is operative so that, in the case of carrying out high speed reproduction, switch is switched by high speed reproduction control signal inputted from the external, and a signal read out from the recording unit is inputted to VLD and formatter. High speed reproduction control signal is inputted to recording unit, switch and counter. Recording unit reproduces and outputs predetermined data in accordance with high speed reproduction control signal. At VLD, variable length encoding of MPEG is released, and syntax analysis is carried out. Counter counts the number of frames to be transmitted. Moreover, counter outputs temporal.sub.-- reference in accordance with reproduction speed indicated by high speed reproduction control signal. Header converter rewrites temporal.sub.-- reference in picture header in accordance with temporal.sub.-- reference outputted from counter. From facts as described above, high speed reproduction of moving picture can be made.

Abstract: The user observes a liquid crystal display panel screen positioned within a lens barrel through a lens. An infrared LED that emits pulses of light and a phototransistor are positioned in an eyecup against which the user's eye is pressed. An ambient light detecting circuit provides a control signal showing whether or not the user's eye is pressed against the eyecup and a control signal showing the amount of ambient light on the basis of the output signal of the phototransistor. A control circuit controls the luminance of a backlight unit according to the control signals. When the user's eye is not pressed against the eyecup, the display luminance is reduced to zero and the display is turned off. The display luminance is enhanced only when the amount of ambient light is large. Thus, needless power consumption can be avoided, and the screen can be satisfactorily observed even if a large quantity of light enters into the ocular part where the ambient light is bright.

Abstract: A digital image signal is encoded for recording by placing in a sync block approximately an integer number of macro blocks representing orthogonally transformed image data for a certain portion of the image. When a sync block is reproduced at high speed, the reproduced data therein corresponds to a displayable portion of the image including DC components and both low and high frequency AC components. Also, each sync block contains fixed length areas for the orthogonal transform coefficient data according to the 4:1:1 (or 4:2:0) format in which four blocks of luminance coefficients and two blocks of color difference coefficients represent a certain portion of an image, and also contains at least one fixed length overflow area for the high frequency coefficients which exceed the capacity of the fixed length coefficient areas. An error in the low frequency coefficients in the fixed length areas does not harm the high frequency coefficients since they are in separately addressed areas.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing an input video signal that includes a chrominance signal and a luminance signal, the luminance signal is frequency-modulated and the chrominance signal is subsampled, preferably by field-offset subsampling, whereupon, the subsampled chrominance signal is frequency-converted to a lower frequency band than the frequency band of the frequency-modulated luminance signal. The frequency-modulated luminance signal and the frequency-converted subsampled chrominance signal are then combined and the resulting combined signal is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape. During reproduction of the recorded signal, interpolation among frames is used to reconstruct the chrominance signal. Recording of the frequency-converted subsampled chrominance signal allows for space-efficient recording of the video signal while providing a reproduced chrominance signal that has a relatively wide bandwidth, thereby permitting improved color reproducibility.

Abstract: A package for a disc-like information medium, e.g. a compact disc, which package is made substantially from paper or cardboard and is provided with a body and a cover for it, with the body being provided with limiting parts which rest thereon and limit a receiving space corresponding to the circumferential line of the information medium to be received or of a case which may optionally be provided, into which the disc-like information medium is insertable and the cover covers the upper sides of the limiting parts in the closed condition of the package. In order to achieve the best possible protection of the information medium in such a package it is provided that an elevation rises from the body which is disposed centrally in the receiving space, which elevation is used as abutment for the central zone of the information medium and an elevation rises from the body which is coaxial to said elevation and is used as abutment for the outer edge zone of the information medium to be received.

Abstract: An 8.fwdarw.10 modulator stores a conversion table, and, when receiving 8-bit data as an address, outputs 10-bit data stored at the received address as a modulated code. The conversion table of the 8.fwdarw.10 modulator is constructed such that each NRZI-represented 10-bit data includes at least one "0.

Abstract: Broadcast signal channel selecting apparatus which receives and is tunable to different broadcast signals, assigns a priority to each as a function of the amount of time to which that broadcast signal had been previously tuned, selects a broadcast signal according to its priority, and tunes to the selected broadcast signal.

Abstract: Provision is made of a video signal editing apparatus wherein even if coded video signals subjected to inter-frame coding are connected and edited, no disturbance occurs in the video signal obtained as a result. Therefore, when connecting coded video signals in each of which one B-frame and I-frame constitute a GOP in that order, if the B-frame comes at the end of a coded video signal, the signal is divided adding to it up to the I-frame of the same or subsequent GOP. Further, if the B-frame comes at the start of a coded video signal, the signal is divided adding to it up to the B-frame or I-frame of the same or previous GOP, then these coded video signals are connected.