Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus for reproducing an image recorded on successive frames of a film having a storage medium which information for each frame is readable from and writable on, the reproducing apparatus includes a pick-up device for picking up the image from the film; a read and write device for reading and writing frame information from and on the storage medium in a specified relative movement to the film; a drive device for rendering the specified relative movement and such special relative movement as fast transporting, rewinding; a directing device for directing the special relative movement; and a controller for keeping the drive device from rendering the special relative movement when the information reading and writing is performed.

Abstract: A pair of stereoscopic images are displayed on alternate horizontal lines on a display and a decoder screen makes one image available to a viewer's left eye and the other to his right eye. In the case of a video signal the two images are carried on a pair of interlaced video fields. Decoders for such images can operate by polarizing the two images or by applying color filters to each of the two images.

Abstract: A system that determines the integration time periods for the channels of a color scanner. The slowest channel or longest time period is used to set a line scan clock period or transfer clock period of the scanner. The exposure start times for the other channels, which are charged faster than the slowest channel, are set relative to the transfer clock. The transfer clock and exposure start time of all channels is adjusted if necessary for the density of the film being scanned.

Abstract: A photographic self-portrait installation includes a photo-video installation (1) which includes a video camera (2) for viewing a subject and a monitor (10) on which the subject may view a real time self image in background against a foreground of a selection of computer-digitised foreground images. The subject is able to freeze a real time self image against a personally preselected foreground image and generate a composite for printing. The installation may be open or housed within a booth.

Abstract: A data processor in which input image data is coded by a coder, with the coded image data being stored in a memory. A controller controls a data amount of the coded image data which is output from the coder by comparing a predetermined set value and a data occupation ratio of the memory. The set value is changed in accordance with a transmission rate used when transmitting the coded image data. Audio data may be multiplexed with the output coded image data, with the timing of providing the audio data to the multiplexer being adjusted in accordance with the transmission rate.

Abstract: A disk stores data groups (GOP) of compressed picture data arranged over sectors. A 1st data indicative of a compression method and a 2nd data indicative of the presence of the GOP are contained in a leading sector. Data D (independent frame) is located at the head of the GOP. The 1st and 2nd data and GOP are aligned in order. The 1st data related to a 2nd GOP is detected after data D of the 1st GOP is reproduced to reproduce data D of the 2nd GOP. Data D arranged by an interval in the GOP are reproduced. In a quick traverse/reverse mode, a 2nd data D next to a 1st data D already reproduced is detected from a position of the GOP corresponding to a value obtained by subtracting/adding a fixed value from/to an integerfold of the interval to reproduce the 2nd data. Data D scattered over sectors of a disk are reproduced. Each sector has a 1st and a 2nd field. The 1st field stores signals not interleaved relative to signals of the 2nd field. A positional data of a leading sector is recorded in the 1st field.

Abstract: A quantization pattern codebook is prepared by way of: merging each pair of pattern clusters into a merged pattern cluster until all combinable pairs of the pattern clusters are merged to derive a set of merged pattern clusters; calculating the rate of bit increment by subtracting the total number of quantization bits in the pair of the quantization patterns used in the merging process from the total number of quantization bits in the merged pattern cluster derived from the pair of the pattern clusters; and determining the merged pattern cluster having a minimum rate of bit increment as one of the cluster patterns to be stored in the pattern code book.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes an optical system arranged to form an optical image, a photo-electric conversion part arranged to convert the optical imaged into an electrical signal, an A/D conversion circuit arranged to convert the electrical signal and/or an audio signal into a digital signal, a connector arranged to permit mounting and demounting a recording medium on which the digital signal obtained from the A/D conversion circuit is to be recorded, and a signal processing part for processing and converting the digital signal. The signal processing part is arranged to be mountable and demountable on and from the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an energy polarization altering dielectric material, such as ice or snow, on a surface, such as a part of an aircraft, which normally specularly reflects incident energy, such as light, when there is no such dielectric present. The energy is conveyed from a transmitter along a path to the surface and the incident energy is reflected from the surface along a path to a receiver with a dielectric on the surface destroying any polarization, such as circular, of the energy and that reflected from a specular portion maintaining the polarization. An optical system in one or both of the paths operates in an isolator state to produce an image of the dielectric portion having a first intensity level and that of the specular portion passing through the optical system having a different intensity level.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically locating the bond of a wire to a lead flame and semiconductor chip or similar device as an in-process operation to facilitate in-process inspection. The apparatus includes a wire bonding machine, or similar apparatus, having a movable platform such as an X-Y table for holding semiconductor chips situated in lead frames; a video camera or other optical sensing or imaging device for generating images, which camera is typically positioned over the target chip and lead flame to be bonded; illumination means for illuminating the chip in a lead flame; an image processor capable of digitizing and analyzing the optically sensed images; a bonding mechanism; and a host controller connected to the bonding mechanism, the movable platform, the camera and the image processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing a plurality of signals forming a picture signal is provided. The plurality of signals include at least two types of signals, each having a predetermined time unit. The two types of signals are alternately outputted. The apparatus include separate memory devices for separately storing the two types of signals having predetermined time units. A memory control mechanism is provided for successively writing the two types of signals in a manner such that the writing operation is alternated between a first memory device and a second memory device of the separate memory devices so as to provide alternate blank memory areas in the first and second memory devices. Thus, the signals of the same type as those written in areas adjacent to the blank memory areas can be written in the blank memory areas.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an energy polarization altering dielectric material, such as ice or snow, on a surface, such as a part of an aircraft, which normally specularly reflects incident energy, such as light, when there is no such dielectric present. The energy is conveyed from a transmitter along a path to the surface and the incident energy is reflected from the surface along a path to a receiver with a dielectric on the surface destroying any polarization, such as circular, of the energy and that reflected from a specular portion maintaining the polarization. An optical system in one or both of the paths operates in an isolator state to produce an image of the dielectric portion having a first intensity level and that of the specular portion passing through the optical system having a different intensity level.

Abstract: In an image encoding apparatus, conversion data obtained by converting image information onto a frequency region, and corresponding to several frames are parallelly output using a one-frame-period delay circuit. The parallelly output conversion data are quantized by a quantization circuit, and a data amount to be obtained when the quantized data are encoded is obtained by a variable-length coding circuit. The data amount information is input to a coefficient operation circuit for determining a quantization step of the next stage. Conversion data quantized according to an output from the coefficient operation circuit are encoded, and the encoded data are output.

Abstract: A video recording device, a video reproducing device and a video recording/reproducing device each have a simple configuration and the capacity to satisfy the broadcasting standards even though the number of scanning lines of the information recorded in their video recording region is less that the number of scanning lines in the broadcasting standards. If the number of the scanning lines of the first video information which are recorded into the video recording region on the recording medium is less than the number of scanning lines in the broadcasting standards, in recording, the second supplemental video information which corresponds to the deficient scanning lines are recorded into the additional information recording region, in reproducing, the first video information and the second video information are reproduced, the digital video signals having a sufficient number of scanning lines are then reconstituted based on the first and second video information to satisfy the broadcasting standards.

Abstract: In a rail-based closed-circuit TV surveillance system, initialization is performed by positioning the surveillance camera at two different positions along the rail from which a target image is acquired. Camera direction parameters for each of the positions are stored. From the stored parameters there is calculated an optimum position for target acquisition. A normal surveillance routine is interrupted in response to an alarm signal. If the camera is within a range for viewing the target, target acquisition occurs immediately while the camera is moved toward the optimum position. If the camera is not within the range for viewing the target, the camera is moved toward the viewing range, while camera direction and focus are adjusted so that target acquisition occurs as soon as the camera reaches the viewing range. Camera direction and focus continue to be adjusted so that a target acquisition is maintained while the camera is moved within the viewing range toward the optimum position.

Abstract: An adaptor for use in a video microscope system including a video monitor, a camera and a microscope. The adaptor comprises a hollow body portion including open top and bottom ends, said body portion having an interior surface; first means for coupling said top end to the camera; and second means for coupling said bottom end to the microscope. The microscope includes a base portion having a top surface opening and objective lens; wherein the bottom end of the adaptor is coupled to the top surface opening of the microscope. The adaptor transmits light directly from the objective lens to the camera without changing the direction of the light. The adaptor fits conventional and infinity corrected microscopes to convert the microscopes into dedicated video microscope systems. The video monitor is connected to the system to provide presentation of microscope object images to a group of observers. The system may additionally be interfaced with a computer system to add text and save images.

Abstract: Customary recorders record data packets of which the format is adapted to the data format of the recorder. If, however, the data packets have a differing format, various difficulties arise, for example, with error protection. In such cases, therefore, there is also no provision for a search mode with an at least partial evaluation of data packets.According to the invention, before the recording/storage, the data packets are consequently arranged "transversely" in accordance with FIG. 1, i.e. it is not so that each data packet (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is progressively recorded/stored (in the vertical direction in FIG. 1), but that the first section (a) of the data packets is progressively recorded (in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1). Subsequently, the further sections of these data packets are recorded. In the fast search of a digital recorder, the helical tracks can, however, only be read section by section. Of the data packets (1 . . .

Abstract: A video surveillance system includes a plurality of remote surveillance units, each of which has a video camera mounted in a dome housing. The video camera is panned and/or tilted to a desired orientation within the dome by a pan motor and/or a tilt motor. The surveillance system also includes a keyboard for entering user commands, a joystick for controlling the positioning of the cameras, a central processing unit for interpreting the user commands and the joystick movements, and a communication system for issuing operating commands to the remote surveillance units. Each remote surveillance unit is constructed and arranged to store and to recall selected camera control parameters in association with selected pan and tilt coordinates in response to commands entered by the user. The camera control parameters include white balance, focus, and shutter speed settings for the camera. Additionally, automatic control of the camera exposure, white balance, and focus is provided.

Abstract: A printed circuit board inspection system acquires images for purposes of inspection from viewing fields defined along the surface of the printed circuit board to be inspected which can be varied in size to accommodate the density and tolerance of components associated with the printed circuit board under inspection. To this end, the cameras of the inspection head associated with the printed circuit board inspection system are provided with zoom lenses, which are capable of controlled operation responsive to the existing microprocessor systems of the printed circuit board inspection system. This allows the magnification of images acquired by the cameras to be varied, as desired, in turn varying the size of the viewing fields defined for inspection purposes. The inspection head is then operated at a rate commensurate with the size of the viewing fields which have been selected.

Abstract: An endoscope image sensing and processing apparatus uses the level of brightness of G and B signals at position (i, j) generated by subjecting an image of a subject picked up by a CCD to a signal process to detect the hemoglobin quantity IHb (i, j), discriminates whether or not the hemoglobin quantity IHb (i, j) in the image portion, which is the subject, is included in a predetermined range of a set subject quantity or outside the same to generate pseudo color data for displaying an image portion within the predetermined range and an image portion outside the predetermined range in different display colors so as to display the image portions on a monitor.