Abstract: A waveform translator in which the frequency spectrum of a repetitive non band limited input signal is translated to an equivalent frequency spectrum which is harmonically related to a fixed reference frequency. In the waveform translator a synthesized source generator and a synthesized receive generator are made coherent. The source generator drives a DUT, and the receive generator coupled to a sampler, samples the DUT to produce a non band limited difference signal harmonically related to the fixed reference frequency. The difference signal is digitized in an analog to digital converter which is clocked at the reference frequency and produces a predetermined integer number of data points per cycle corresponding to the input signal. A computer is coupled to the waveform translator for DC to 75 GHz oscillography.

Abstract: A video encoder for changing the bit rate at a halfway point in a GOP by using a TM5 (Test Model 5) bit rate control algorithm is provided. Using a bit quantity Rj(+1) allocated to non-coded pictures at and after a coding target picture (j+1), a target bit quantity T(j+1) allocated to the coding target picture (j+1) is calculated. In the case where pictures up to a picture (j) at a halfway point in a GOP are coded at a first bit rate and the picture (j+1) is coded at a second bit rate, the bit quantity R(j+1) allocated to non-coded pictures for calculating the target bit quantity R(j+1) is corrected to a bit quantity R(j+1) for non-coded pictures at the time when the pictures from a leading picture of the GOP are coded at the second bit rate. Thus, seamless bit rate change can be carried out at a halfway point in the GOP by using the fixed rate algorithm such as TM5.

Abstract: Necessary information is obtained without connecting a signal line between an electronic device and a charging device, so that it becomes possible to provide a highly value-added function without deteriorating convenience and portability of the charging device and the electronic device.

Abstract: A video signal copy guard system in which a special color burst signal (or “copy prohibition signal”) is inserted into the video signal to be copy protected so that the protected signal includes both a special color burst signal and a normal color burst signal. The special color burst signal is placed adjacent to the normal color burst signal, and its phase, frequency, and/or amplitude is varied with respect to the normal color burst signal. The special color burst signal interferes with the normal color burst signal when an analog VCR attempts to process the protected signal. Thereby, preventing unauthorized dubbing of the protected signal.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus of an imaging apparatus is one having an estimation-value calculating unit for obtaining a plurality of estimation values by using a plurality of areas and a plurality of filters for extracting a horizontal-direction frequency component in a specific image area of a video signal corresponding to a specific image area and supplied from an imaging apparatus for effectively carrying out an autofocus operation of a television camera, a signal processing unit for calculating a control value used for controlling an image pickup lens drive unit of the imaging apparatus in response to an estimation value calculated by the above estimation-value calculating unit, and an output unit for supplying the above control value to the above image pickup lens drive unit.

Abstract: A motion vector detecting apparatus has a first storage unit through a fourth storage unit. The first storage unit stores top-field pixel data of odd-numbered rows or odd-numbered columns. The second storage unit stores top-field pixel data of even-numbered rows or even-numbered columns. The third storage unit stores bottom-field pixel data of odd-numbered rows or odd-numbered columns. The fourth storage unit stores bottom-field pixel data of even-numbered rows or even-numbered columns. The selector selects pixel data of a predetermined search block from the pixel data stored in the first storage unit through the fourth storage unit. A fifth storage unit stores at least interleaved pixel data among pixel data of the reference block. A first calculator performs a calculation to obtain the difference between the pixel data of the search block selected by the selector and the pixel data of the reference block stored in the fifth storage unit.

Abstract: In order to easily discriminate a recording mode of a magnetic tape even when the fast feeding/rewinding reproducing operation is set to the odd number times speed or even number times speed, a standard pilot signal for generating the tracking error signal is set to a fixed frequency when the fast feeding/rewinding reproducing operation is performed in the even number times speed of the ordinary reproduction speed and the standard pilot signal is set in the rotational frequencies when the fast feeding/rewinding reproducing operation is performed in the odd number times speed. Thus, the recording mode is discriminated by making reference to the time series pattern of an output obtained by sampling the tracking error signal obtained on the basis of the reproduced pilot signal and the standard pilot signal in the predetermined timing.

Abstract: A time-divided multi-task image processing apparatus conducts each task in a time slice. This image processing apparatus correlates a first identification code to the picture information sequentially input and stores it in memory means for a specified period. Then, when the second identification code having any value is given from an external device which generates the second identification code synchronized with the first identification code, the image processing apparatus searches the first identification code which has the nearest value to that of the second identification code and which satisfies a specified relation between the value of the second identification code by second control means, and then reads out the picture information which is combined with the first identification code from the memory means.

Abstract: A cipher processing apparatus which readily updates a cipher processing circuit for encrypting information communicated through a communication function. A service station side and a user side are connected. A receiving function receives a command for requesting a change of a cipher processing program and the cipher processing program which are transmitted from the service station side to the user side through the communication function. Circuit updating function updates a cipher processing circuit provided on the user side with the cipher processing program. With these functions, the cipher processing circuit provided on the user side can be readily rewritten in accordance with the cipher processing program transmitted from the service station side.

Abstract: A picture reproducing device in which a still picture can be recorded/reproduced to high picture quality without requiring a dedicated still picture processor or a RAM configured for storing picture data for processing by the dedicated still picture processor. In reproducing video signals from a recording medium having quantized and recorded DCT coefficient data for every DCT block made up of a pre-set number of blocks two-dimensionally arrayed as a continuous picture of video signals, the playback signals from the recording medium are dequantized by a dequantizer to generate DCT coefficient data from which playback picture data are generated by the inverse DCT processor, while motion detection is effected for every DCT block based on the DCT coefficient data. The resulting motion detection information is replaced by the LSB of the playback picture data of the corresponding DCT block by the deblocking-deshuffling processor.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a video display blanking signal so as to maintain a full display screen while minimizing interference with the displayed picture. To control the blanking signal one or more photosensors are placed at the periphery of the display screen. When a CRT overscans the screen at a sensor's location, the light from the CRT is incident on the sensor and the sensor generates a signal proportional to the amount of incident light. The sensor signal is used to adjust the CRT scan such that the CRT scan covers the screen but does not degrade the displayed picture.

Abstract: According to the present invention an antenna support structure for at least three directional antenna sub-systems provided, wherein the antenna sub-systems can be preferably planar antenna arrays. The antenna support structure (1) comprises at least four panels (3, 4) adapted to support respectively one of the antenna sub-systems (2). The panels (3, 4) include a main panel (3) and at least three secondary panels (4) respectively adjacent to the main panel (3). The secondary panels (4) can be respectively attached by hinge means (5) to the main panel (3). Therefore the secondary panels (4) can be individually adjusted in a predetermined angle to the main panel (3). The antenna support structure according to the present invention can be particularly used in combination with wide-band printed dipole antennas for micro-wave and millimeter-wave applications.

Abstract: A system and method for finding the direction of a wave source using an array of sensors. The system includes a sensor array for measuring waves from the wave source, an approximate-direction finder for finding the approximate direction of the wave source in terms of a sensor pair from the sensors, a precise-direction finder for finding the precise direction of the wave source based on the approximate direction found, and a measurement qualification unit for evaluating the validity of the precise direction under a measurement criterion and discarding the measurements if the criterion is not met.

Abstract: The projector apparatus comprises an image signal processor for generating color drive signals of at least four channels, which correspond to at least four kinds of colors including the colors selected according to the spectrum of the light source, from the three primary color image signals; a light-splitting device for splitting the light from the light source into at least four kinds of lights according to the colors corresponding to the color drive signals generated in the image signal processor; light valves, each of which comprises a liquid crystal element driven by the color drive signal for modulating each of the light splitted from that of the light source by the light-splitting device; and a combining device for combining each of components of light modulated by the light valves.

Abstract: When the user enters a command to eject an optical disc from an optical-disc apparatus by operating an input unit, a CPU records information such as an operating mode and a location accessed immediately prior to ejection of the disc into a RAM unit as resume-function related information. The resume-function related information is then supplied to the optical disc to be recorded thereon by way of a write-in channel buffer, a switch, an ECC circuit, an RF & demodulation/modulation circuit and an optical head. Accordingly it is possible to make an access to a location on an optical disc accessed immediately prior to ejection of the disc from an optical-disc apparatus when the disc is reinserted into the optical-disc apparatus.

Abstract: A transmitting device capable of transmitting video data with high speed has been disclosed. When transmitting video data, by providing a transmitting circuit for invalidating a time out signal of a timer which counts the occupied time of a bus, the video data having large volume of information can be successively transmitted by continuously using the bus, and thus the video data can be transmitted with high speed.

Abstract: A signal reproducing apparatus for prohibiting copying or unauthorized use. The apparatus includes a copying management information decision circuit 19 for discriminating the state of the copying management information read out from each header of a data sector and within the TOC, a protect signal generating circuit 20 for generating a protect signal based on the discrimination signal and a mixing circuit 24 for mixing a protect signal in a vertical blanking period of an analog video signal D/A converted from digital video data reproduced from an optical disc D. The apparatus also includes a descrambling circuit 31 for descrambling the digital data based on the copying management information and a scrambling circuit 32 for descrambling the digital data. The apparatus enables prohibition of unauthorized analog copying and digital copying, inhibition of serial generational copying and prohibition of unauthorized analog and digital copying simultaneously.

Abstract: Two battery packs are loaded into respective loading portions, and serve to deliver power to respective units of a personal computer through a port and are supplied with power through the port from an AC adapter connected to an AC power supply so that they are charged. Each lock portion serving as a loading mechanism includes a switch interlocking therewith. Output of the switch is delivered to a CPU serving as a mode control unit. The CPU controls a CPU serving as a switch control unit within the battery pack in correspondence with loading state of the battery pack inputted from the switch interlocking with the lock portion to switch operation mode of the battery pack. Thus, it is possible to prevent instantaneous cut-off of power supply at the time of removal of battery without allowing the apparatus to be complicated, and/or without allowing the cost to be high.

Abstract: A booster type converter (19) wherein a boosting inductor is constituted from a transformer (20) provided with an auxiliary winding (20b), a capacitor (26) is connected to the auxiliary winding, whereby the capacitor is charged by means of resonance of a leakage inductance of the transformer (20) and the capacitor (26), and at the same time, it makes possible to conduct zero voltage switching of the booster type converter (19) on the basis of the electric charge charged in the capacitor, whereby it is intended to attain high efficiency in the booster type converter.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus and method, and a receiving apparatus and method for communicating a pack of 2,048 bytes using the digital interface in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard. A 4-byte time stamp is added to a 2,048-byte pack of MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-PS (program stream) data. Also, 124 bytes of padding data is added to this pack in order that the overall byte length of data be a multiple of 16. Then the data is divided into a number of fractions which is a multiple of 2 (e.g., 32), thereby being converted into a number of data blocks equal to the number of fractions. Each data block has a byte length of a multiple of 4 (e.g., 68 bytes). A CIP header and the like are added to a predetermined number of the data blocks to form a packet.