Abstract: A modelling system for producing a 2-D image of a 3-D scene includes a 3-D computer graphics modeler for producing a view from a selectable viewpoint and in a selectable direction of a 3-D computer graphics model of an object for forming a foreground image, a source of backdrop video data, digital video effects apparatus for manipulating the backdrop video data to produce a background image and a compositor for keying the foreground image into the background image to form the 2-D image. The modelling system is able to produce in real time photo-realistic representations of computer models of objects such as buildings and the like in a real world environment. It is possible to include moving foreground objects in the model for virtual reality applications. It is also possible in real time to move around the model by changing the selected viewpoint and/or direction, the modelling system responding to these changes to produce the appropriate output images.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a motion vector and encoding picture signals. Where a motion vector is obtained by block matching employing a luminance pattern obtained by eliminating dc components from a luminance signal of a picture, and thus containing only ac components, is compared to a motion vector obtained by block matching employing a luminance signal of a picture. An optimum motion vector obtained based upon the result of comparison is employed as a true motion vector for variable length encoding the picture signal. In this manner, a correct motion vector may be detected and employed for variable length coding even in cases where the average luminance of the picture on the screen is varied significantly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional parameter input device in which the icon composed of the first, second and third regions is displayed on the monitor, it is determined in which region among the first, second and third regions the cursor is positioned when the first definition data is supplied from the input means, the location data or the rotation angle data in the direction of or around X-axis is generated from the location data supplied from the input means and outputted after the supply of the first definition data when the cursor is positioned in the first region, the location data or the rotation angle data in the direction of or around Y-axis is generated from the location data supplied from the input means and outputted after the supply of the first definition data when the cursor is positioned in the second region, and the data showing enlargement ratio or the rotation angle around Z-axis is generated from the location data supplied from the input means and outputted after the supply of the first definition data w

Abstract: A method for processing a moving picture in which input digital moving picture signals of a pre-set picture rate are processed in accordance with pre-set picture processing and the processed digital picture signal are transmitted. The input digital moving picture signal has plural field pictures.

Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting information series such as hierarchically coded image data etc. includes at least one transmission apparatus and receiving apparatus. The transmission apparatus has an encoder and a multiplexor. The encoder takes a plurality of information series from a single information source as input, utilizes convolutional coding to code the plurality of inputted information series, and carries out code processing in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of inputted information series is coded with a code rate differing from that of the remaining information series. The higher the priority of the information series, the lower the code rate of the encoding. The multiplexor multiplexes a plurality of convolutional code series outputted from the encoder. The transmission apparatus modulates and transmits an output from the multiplexor. The receiving apparatus has a demultiplexor and a decoder.

Abstract: Image data of four frames are stored in four memories and the image data from the four memories are sequentially transmitted, whereby still picture image data having a resolution twice the resolution of a common intermediate format (CIF) image based on the video CODEC recommendation H.261 can be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus by which a panorama image is produced with a high degree of accuracy from an image signal are disclosed. An image signal produced by a CCD imaging element is recorded onto a video tape by way of a camera signal processing circuit, a recording signal processing circuit, a recording/reproduction amplifier and so forth. Meanwhile, a microcomputer calculates of a motion vector of an image from the output of a motion vector detector to which the image signal from the CCD imaging element is inputted, and controls a video subcode processor so that motion vector information may be recorded onto the video tape. The motion vector information is reproduced from the video tape together with the image signal, and a plurality of images are formed from the thus reproduced image signal and joined together in accordance with the motion vector information to produce a panorama image.

Abstract: A parallel processor for processing a plurality of pieces of data includes a number of unitary processing units provided in parallel equal to the number of pieces of data. Each of the unitary processing units includes a memory circuit connected to a processing element which exchanges data with two adjoining unitary processing units. Each of the processing elements includes a full adder, a logical operation circuit for performing a logical operation on two inputs connected to a first input of the full adder and a plurality of selector circuits. A first selector circuit selects first data from memory circuits of the unitary processing unit and an adjoining unitary processing unit. A second selector circuit selects second data from memory circuits of the unitary processing unit and an adjoining unitary processing unit. A third selector circuit selects the second data selected by the second selector circuit as a first input to the logical operation circuit.

Abstract: An optical disc drive device performs a seek operation during a recording and/or reproducing mode on different discs, such as CDs or MDs, individually loaded thereon, which may differ from one another in linear velocity or circumferential recording density. The linear velocity of a disc is calculated as a function of the number of rotations of a disc spin motor and position information of the pickup head. The number of tracks from a current position of the pickup to a target position is determined by using the address of the target position and the linear velocity of the disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording digital information comprises recording data generator for producing recording digital information data containing at least one of digital video information data accompanied with first attendant data added thereto and digital audio information data accompanied with second attendant data added thereto, a recording portion operative to record the recording digital information data on a record medium, and a controller operative to set selectively a plurality of recording modes for the recording of the recording digital information data on the record medium carried out by the recording portion. The first and second attendant data contain recording mode data having a code selected to correspond to the recording mode set by the controller.

Abstract: A recording medium has a user recordable area in which two types of information may be recorded, such as audio data and user data, and a control area having a first area for management information regarding the first type of information and a second area for management information regarding the second type of information. A reproducing apparatus uses the first management information to reproduce the first type of information and to avoid reproducing the second type of information as the first type of information, and uses the second management information to reproduce the second type of information and to avoid reproducing the first type of information as the second type of information. A recording apparatus generates the first management information when the first type of information is recorded and generates the second management information when the second type of information is recorded.

Abstract: An input/output switching apparatus which can construct the system more flexibly as compared with the conventional system. The input/output switching apparatus is configured so that a user can manage the connection state of a physically-existing switching unit as the connection state of a virtual switching unit which corresponds to the physically-existing switching unit. Thus, the user can control the physical switching unit merely by operating the virtual switching unit which is constructed so as to be convenient for operation.

Abstract: A rotary head recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing digital signals into and from helical tracks on a tape-like recording medium with a rotary head is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a recording head section composed of first and second recording heads having different azimuth angles are closely located on a rotary drum; a first reproducing head section provided at 90.degree. to the recording head section, the first reproducing head section being composed of first and second reproducing heads closely located, the first and second reproducing heads having azimuth angles corresponding to the first and second recording heads of the recording head section, respectively; and a second reproducing head section provided at 180.degree.

Abstract: Even if data is recorded on a recording medium on which another data has been recorded, no problem takes place. Data that has been recorded on a recording medium is read. A reproduction signal processing portion 26 extracts an ID signal that identifies the number of samples of the data. The extracted ID signal is supplied to a record signal processing portion 39 and a fs clock generating PLL portion. The fs clock generating PLL portion 33 generates a clock corresponding to the supplied ID signal. A sound (audio) signal is sampled corresponding to the generated clock. The sampled signal is supplied to the record signal processing portion 39 along with the ID signal supplied from the record signal processing portion 39 and the number of samples represented by the ID signal to an after-record region.

Abstract: Digital video tape recorder which operates to receive an advanced television (ATV) signal to be recorded, provide a portion such as a low-band coefficient of an intra-coded frame of the ATV signal as variable-speed data, and record the digital video data and the variable-speed data in a main and a marginal area, respectively, of successive tracks on the record medium in which the marginal area is located on each track at a position which is reproducible in a fast-speed reproducing mode. The digital video tape recorder reproduces the recorded data in the fast-speed reproducing mode by reproducing the portion of the signal stored from the marginal area of each track which is located at specific reproducible areas.

Abstract: A compact disc printing nest for retaining a compact disc along a transportation mechanism which moves the printing nest into a position such that one surface of the compact disc can be screen printed with artwork and/or designs. The compact disc printing nest includes a bottom plate capable of being rigidly secured to the transportation mechanism and a top plate having a receptacle provided in an upper surface thereof for accommodating the compact disc therein and thereby exposing a surface of the compact disc to be screen printed. A magnetic mounting assembly is provided for mounting the top plate with respect to the lower plate to provide for easy removal of the top plate for cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: The input and output signal converter with a simple construction selects a voluntary internal video signal out of a plurality of internal video signals generated at an image processing unit for external output in addition to outputting a normal video signal. A selection unit 8 selects a plurality of internal video signals S7 generated at the image processing unit 3 and/or a plurality of external image input signals S1. A small-sized selection unit 15, which receives a plurality of internal video signals S7, selects the voluntary internal video signal S7 for output. With this invention, the voluntary video signal S7 can be selected out of the plurality of internal video signals S7 for output with a simple construction. Thus, the invention does not need to resort to a large number of switches which would, otherwise, require that the plurality of external input video signals S1 be selected in the first selection unit 2.

Abstract: Film transport apparatus for a cine-video system in which video signals are produced from film that is driven between supply and take-up reels. The film, which may be wound in A or B configuration on each reel, is threaded automatically about a film drive mechanism which transports the film from the supply reel, through a film gate to the take-up reel. Tensioning apparatus imparts tension to the film at the entry and exit of the film gate which, during the threading operation, causes the respective reels to rotate before film actually is transported therebetween. The direction in which each reel rotates to unwind film therefrom when tension is imparted serves to identify whether the film is wound in A or B configuration. Advantageously, a programmable processor controls the film transport speed in response to a user-actuated knob; and this same processor serves to detect when the film approaches its end on the supply or take-up reel.

Abstract: A storage container for mini-disk cartridge is described which includes a base tray, a cover and a disk tray. The base tray includes an inside bottom surface, a pair of side walls protruding upwardly from the bottom surface, a rear wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and is pivotally connected to the cover. The disk tray for receiving the mini-disk cartridge may have an open window or may have a floor, and rests within the base tray. The container can also be used without the disk tray by including extensions protruding upwardly from the bottom surface of the base tray to substantially surround the mini-disk cartridge.

Abstract: A data compression apparatus is described which applies a dynamically variable degree of quantisation Q.sub.s to input data so as to control blocks of output data to have a predetermined maximum size. The dynamic control can be carried out on an inter-block basis or an intra-block basis. An overflow detector is provided for inserting an overflow indicator within blocks of compressed data to indicate when overflow has occurred.