Abstract: In order to realize a photoelectric conversion apparatus capable of easily switching a mode requiring a wide dynamic range in obtaining a motion image and a mode requiring a reduction in noise in obtaining a still image, a mode switching means is used, when a refresh operation is performed for each photoelectric conversion element, to switch between a mode of setting the potential of one electrode of the photoelectric conversion element to be higher than the potential of the other electrode, and a mode of setting the potential of one electrode of the photoelectric conversion element to be lower than the potential of the other electrode, thereby arbitrarily changing the refresh voltage. With this operation, desired photoelectric conversion signals for a motion image and a still image can be obtained.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a moving picture processing apparatus capable of preventing the viewer from watching the already watched pictures repeatedly. The moving picture processing apparatus of the present invention records the feature amounts of the already watched pictures in a database every moment and judges whether or not the pictures the viewer is now watching have already been displayed. When the current pictures are what have already been displayed, the apparatus carries out the process of stopping the video output until the time set by the user has been reached. When a list of small screens appears to show pictures, the apparatus carries out the process of displaying only dissimilar pictures on the screen.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a first clock generation circuit for generating a first clock signal having a constant frequency, a detection circuit for detecting a phase change in an input video signal, a second clock generation circuit for generating a second clock signal having a frequency different from the frequency of the first clock signal by selectively using the first clock signal and an output from the detection circuit, and a signal processing circuit for processing the video signal using the second clock signal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of forming an image signal having a high resolution when a monotone image is photographed by a structure having a switching circuit for switching between a first photographing mode in which an electric signal transmitted from an image pickup device is used to form a color natural image signal and a second photographing mode for forming a high resolution image signal of a monochrome object to insert/remove an optical low pass filter in accordance with the switching operation, wherein the length of the optical passage is corrected by another optical system.

Abstract: An extended dynamic range imager. An array of pixels provides an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period. A row of extended dynamic range (XDR) sample and hold circuits having an XDR sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures an XDR signal related to a difference between the output signal and an XDR clamp level to which the pixel is reset at a predetermined time before the end of the integration period. A row of linear sample and hold circuits having a linear sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures a linear signal related to a difference between the output signal and an initial output signal to which the pixel is reset at the beginning of the integration period.

Abstract: A commercial sending system that can easily record a non-recorded commercial material is provided. When a play list is input from a creating block or a receiving block, a CM material DB managing block is asked whether or not CM materials included in the list have been recorded in the system. If a non-recorded CM material is included in the list, the non-recorded CM material is displayed on a sending terminal. In addition, a record list creating block automatically creates a record list for the non-recorded CM material. The record list is displayed on a recording terminal. These operations are performed for all CM materials included in the list.

Abstract: Electronic watermark information obtained by changing a luminance value of a luminance signal in a video signal and a copy generation management signal (CGMS signal) inserted into an area out of a scan region of the video signal are recorded into a recording medium. A reproducing apparatus comprises an electronic watermark information detecting circuit, a CGMS signal detecting circuit, a control circuit to which detected electronic watermark information and CGMS signal are supplied, and a video signal processing circuit controlled by an output of the control circuit. When the electronic watermark information and the CGMS signal have a rational relation, the video signal processing circuit is controlled to output the video signal.

Abstract: A confocal microscope has a motorized scanning table for moving the sample perpendicularly to the optical axis of the microscope. The object is illuminated simultaneously at many places by means of a light source array. The light reflected or scattered at the object is detected by means of a diaphragm array, which is conjugate to the object and to the light source array. A sensor array is provided as a detector and makes a displacement of charges possible between individual positions in the scanning direction. The sensor is a so-called TDI sensor. The displacement of the charges is synchronized with the motion of the object corresponding to the motion of the image points in the plane of the sensor array. The image data can thereby be recorded during the motion of the object, so that even large object fields can be sensed in a short time with high lateral resolution.

Abstract: In configuration for optically inputting an image of an object to be picked up by a lens and obtaining color image information from the image of the picked-up object inputted through the lens by a CCD on which light-sensing elements having sensitivity for a different wavelength are two-dimensionally arrayed, a CPU relatively displaces the CCD and the image of the picked-up object by driving an actuator connected to the CCD, obtains a plurality sheets of color image information for the same picked-up object from the CCD and also obtains color image information for a certain color for one screen according to the plurality sheets of color image information, and further obtains color image information for one screen using the color image information for the certain color for one screen.

Abstract: An additional information produced by an additional information signal producing curcuit is spectrum-spread by a spectrum spreading code generated on the basis of the timing of the synchronous signal of digital video signal and is then added to the digital video signal by means of a signal adder. The digital video signal to which the spectrum spread additional information signal is added is then written into a recording medium by a signal writing device. Thereby, the additional information signal can be added to the video signal under the condition that the reproducing quality of the video signal is never deteriorated and alteration and deletion are impossible and moreover the additional information signal can be detected for use as required from the video signal.

Abstract: An adapter for receiving a surplus optical storage media drive capable of stand-alone playing of optical storage media is described. The adapter provides at least the minimum level of functionality required, together with the surplus optical storage media drive, to play optical storage media in order to extend the useful life of the surplus drive. The optical storage media may include compact disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or the like type of storage media. The adapter provides the capability of connecting with external devices that improve the functionality and usefulness of the drive-adapter system.

Abstract: A master clock MCK is generated by a first PLL circuit constituted with a VCO, which is outputted, as an operation clock, to an on-screen display and a CCD driving timing generation circuit when an image signal is supplied from a CCD, a standard clock 4Fsc is outputted, as an operation clock, to the signal processing circuit, and a clock synchronized with the VTR reproduced video signal is generated by a first PLL circuit and outputted, as an operation clock, to an on-screen device when a VTR reproduced image signal is inputted, and a second standard clock synchronized with the line input signal is generated by a PLL circuit and outputted as an operation clock, and the clock synchronized with the line input signal is generated by the first PLL circuit and may be when line input signal is inputted outputted as an operation clock to the on-screen display, whereby the constitution of the signal processing circuit to be applied to the camcorder.

Abstract: A method of, and a system capable of, replaying a portion of a video comprising the steps of, and the means for receiving, during a playing of a video, a replay request to replay a portion of a video, the replay request comprising a voice command; storing a request position of the playing of the video responsive to the replay request; skipping, responsive to the replay request, the video to a replay position that is responsive to a preestablished replay preference amount adjusted by segment information subject to an override range; enabling a playing of supplementary information; playing the video and the supplementary information from the replay position; and discontinuing the playing of supplementary information responsive to the request position responsive to a preestablished replay preference amount adjusted by segment information subject to an override range.

Abstract: Comparators receiving reference voltages are provided. An output signal from a differential amplifier is applied to these comparators. Here, the relationship of Vref1>Vref2>Vref3>Vref4>Vref5>Vbias>Vref6>Vref7>Vref8>Vref9>Vref10 is established. The output signals from the comparators are applied to a data latch/threshold level select circuit. The select circuit retains the maximum peak level of the prior comparison by the comparators, and retains the minimum peak value of the prior comparison by the comparators. The select circuit selects the output signal of the comparator of one lower level than the comparator that detects the maximum peak level at the prior comparison to supply the selected signal to a RS flip-flop circuit, and selects the output signal of the comparator of one higher level than the comparator that detects the minimum peak level at the prior comparison to supply the selected signal to the RS flip-flop circuit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording a first information signal, having packets of information and a trick play signal having packets of information, includes a time stamp generator for generating time stamps for the packets. The first digital information signal is meant for a reproduction at a record carrier speed which equals the recording speed, and the second digital signal is meant for a reproduction at a speed n1 times the recording speed. The time stamp generator includes a first counter for generating subsequent cycles of subsequent first count values so as to supply time stamps for the packets of the first digital information signal, and a second counter for generating subsequent cycles of subsequent second count values so as to supply time stamps for the packets in the second digital information signal, the first counter supplying the first count values at a first rate, the second counter supplying the second count values at a second rate, which equals the first rate divided by n1.

Abstract: Image blur prevention apparatus matching signal characteristics of a lens and a camera includes a vibration detecting sensor disposed in the camera for detecting vibration of the camera and providing a vibration signal corresponding thereto. An image blur prevention control circuit is disposed in the lens and controls an image blur prevention operation in accordance with the vibration signal output from the vibration detecting sensor. A determination device determines the relationship between the signal characteristic of the vibration signal and a control characteristic of the image blur prevention control circuit. For example, if the camera contains either an acceleration sensor or a velocity sensor, the output signal will be appropriately converted so that the image blur prevention control circuit can control the image blur prevention operation appropriately.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a video signal of a high-quality format which has a first given frequency band is recorded on a standard magnetic tape designed to record a video signal of a standard format having a second given frequency band narrower than the first given frequency band. In the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a video signal of the high-quality format is reproduced from a standard magnetic tape.

Abstract: A personal computer is used as a recording apparatus that is capable of carrying out recording and other processing concurrently without suspending the recording. The personal computer includes an encoder board, a microprocessor, and a hard disk. A recording period of time for recording a program and a bit rate of an MPEG system stream produced by the encoder board as a result of encoding a program are set. The microprocessor computes a recording capacity from the recording period of time and the bit rate. A free area with the size equal to the computed recording capacity is allocated in the hard disc. The free area is used for storing MPEG system stream of a program received typically by a TV tuner employed in the encoder board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bitstream generation apparatus that enables an efficient editing of video objects in providing a finished audio video production. Audio and video data is encoded and an elementary encode unit correlates the audio and video data into video objects. The video objects can be assembled by an editing unit into a desired scenario of reproduction. An editor can re-arrange the scenes that are formed by the video objects with the assistance of a correction unit and an interleaving unit that can divide the pieces of audio data and the pieces of video data that form the video objects into new video objects which can be interleaved into the reproduction order of video objects without requiring a re-encoding of the entire set of video objects that constitute sequences of scenes for the audio video product.

Abstract: To lengthen sensor lines in an optoelectronic camera with the aid of a number of CCD line scanners, alternatingly transparent regions (ST1, ST3, . . . ) and reflective regions (ST2, ST4, . . . ) are formed in a beam splitter (ST) following the camera lens system, and between each of those regions, continuously varying transmission zones (ÜB1, ÜB2, ÜB3, ÜB4, . . . ) are provided. From the CCD line scanners (CCD1,-CCD5), two long line modules (M1, M2) are formed, in which free interstices (FR) between the CCD line scanners are shorter than the length of a light-sensitive region of one CCD line scanner. The long line modules (M1, M2) are disposed such that the centers of the CCD line scanners the (CCD2, CCD4) of one long line module (M2) coincide with the centers of the free interstices (FR) of the other long line module (M1).