Abstract: An image blur correcting apparatus includes a lens-barrel part having a lens and an imaging device, an image signal processing device for forming a video signal from an electrical signal obtained at the imaging device, a supporting body for supporting the lens-barrel part in a freely pivoting manner around a rotation axis crossing a beam axis incident to the lens-barrel part at approximately right angles, and an actuator device attached between the lens-barrel part and the supporting body for rotating the lens-barrel part. The apparatus further includes a relative angle detecting device for detecting a relative angle between the lens-barrel part and the supporting body and a device for detecting a moving vector indicating an amount of blur of the image from correlation between two frames of image information from the image signal processing means, which are continuous in view of time.

Abstract: In a multimedia video production control system, equipment supplied by various manufacturers is integrated to allow a consumer to control the equipment and edit a production at a centralized location. An adapter unit, interfaced to each camera and pan/tilt mount unit to be used with the system, feeds a cable which, in turn, connects to a camera interface module containing cable compensation and amplification circuitry so that the signals generated by the various cameras may be combined in a commercially available video switcher unit at a consistent level. In the preferred embodiment, each camera interface unit feeds a computer interface unit, and the computer interface units communicate with a personal computer over a standard interface.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing color video or other image data for transmission over a low cost, low bandwidth bus (or other transmission link). Preferred embodiments implement lossless compression and include a frame buffer for storing data compressed in accordance with the invention, and circuitry for decompressing and transforming compressed data read from the frame buffer. The image data are typically organized as a sequence of frames, each comprising a sequence of pixels. Data compressed in accordance with the invention are stored in cells in memory, with each cell storing the same number of pixels. The inventive method is denoted as "cell based image compression" ("CBC"). Advantages of CBC include increasing available data transmission bandwidth and lowering required system power as a result of minimizing transfer of redundant color information to and from memory as well as fast random single pixel reads and writes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for automatically controlling pulse generation. The apparatus comprises a drum having video heads, a pulse generating head and a frequency generation head, first and second wave-shapers for wave-shaping a pulse generation signal from the pulse generating head and a frequency generation signal from the frequency generating head, respectively. There is also provided a mono-multi signal generator outputting a mono-multi signal having a rising curve time, a servo device for outputting a head switching signal in response to the mono-multi signal and outputting a drum control signal in response to the pulse and frequency generation signals and the head switching signal to control the speed and phase of the drum.

Abstract: A video theater to present live theatrical productions, having a thrust stage with a ceiling and a stage which is equipped with at least two video cameras having a full view of the field of action and two video monitors which can be seen by an audience. Each camera is electronically connected to a monitor opposite it so that it transmit a video image of the action in a play from its vantage point, to be viewed by an audience from another vantage point. Each camera and monitor is suspended from the ceiling of the thrust stage such that one camera is positioned on opposite side of the thrust stage and each monitor is positioned on opposite sides of the thrust stage.

Abstract: This invention provides a family of improvements to video security systems. In a first embodiment, a television set employed for normal television viewing is switched to be the monitor of the security system only upon the happening of a security violation event as sensed by a sensor. I one variation thereof, the switching capability is built into a dual-deck VCR along with the ability to reset the system to normal television watching by means of the remote control for the VCR. In another embodiment, the video cameras of the system are made easily adjustable and relocateable by the use of a bi-directional wireless transmission system linking the cameras to the base station and monitor. Video is sent from the cameras and control signals to adjust the field of view of the cameras are sent without the need for connecting cables.

Abstract: Arrangements for recording and reproducing datareduced videoinformation are described. The recording arrangement comprises a datareduction unit (3) and a formatting unit (4). The formatting unit (4) generates packets (P.sub.i) each having a first, second and third packet portion (PP.sub.1, PP.sub.2 and PP.sub.3). The first packet portion comprises a sync word (SW) and an identification word. The second packet portion comprises datareduced videoinformation of a first and a second datablock (MB.sub.0, MB.sub.1). A datablock comprises DC coefficients (DC.sub.i) and most significant and least significant AC coefficients (MAC.sub.i, LAC.sub.i). The videoinformation comprised in the first and the second datablock are stored in the second packet portion (PP.sub.2), such that the DC coefficients of the first datablock (DC.sub.0) are stored first, the plurality of most significant AC coefficients (MAC.sub.0) of the first datablock are stored next, the DC coefficients of the second datablock (DC.sub.

Abstract: A motion estimation coprocessor for use in a video data system. The motion estimation coprocessor may be used with a video memory that subdivides a P row.times.Q column image of pixels into several pages. The page structure enables efficient loading of video data into the coprocessor. The motion estimation coprocessor may perform several block matches simultaneously. The motion estimation coprocessor may perform exhaustive block matching or use a hierarchical search.

Abstract: A method for successively reproducing video signals from both sides of a video disk in a video disk player. A spindle motor is driven to rotate the video disk. A first reproduction pickup reads the video signals recorded on a first side of the video disk moving from an inner circumference to an outer circumference of the first side of the video disk and a second reproduction pickup reads the video signals recorded on the second side of the video disk moving form an outer circumference to an inner circumference of the other side of the video disk and jumping a predetermined number of tracks to the outer circumference of the second side of the video disk every one rotation of the video disk during the movement. The read video signals from the first and second reproduction pickups are stored in a video memory unit.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval mechanism for a digital image processing system employs a reduced capacity frame store in the playback device. A plurality of photographic images captured on a photographic recording medium are digitized for processing and subsequent display. Digitized images are stored on a compact disc. When the disc is inserted into a playback device for driving a color TV monitor, the playback device decodes header information representative of image orientation, so that the image will be read from the disc and stored in the reduced capacity frame store for subsequent read out and display in an upright orientation. A memory control mechanism employs a decimation/interpolation operator to interface the imagery data from the disc to the frame store.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cursor control device for controlling the display position of a cursor displayed on a display device. The cursor displayed on the display device is remotely controlled by a remote control transmitter. The remote control transmitter is provided with, for example, a light emitting element emitting light rays having a particular wavelength, for example, infrared rays. The position of the remote control transmitter is detected by an imaging device including a CCD. The position of the cursor on a display screen of the display device is controlled on the basis of the detected position of the remote control transmitter.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus adapted to a video signal recording/reproducing apparatus for reproducing a video signal recorded on a record medium in the form of an L-channel/S-segment recording system. The record medium travelling speed in production, the output from comparators and the guard band width are adjusted so that writing of the video signal in a field memory is effected so as not to cause omission of any portion of the video signal. Four embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptive dynamic range encoding method and device in which evaluation data mainly centered about the amount of the change in the spatial direction of picture data in a block is detected, and re-quantization is performed which will give a minimum value of the evaluation data. The re-quantization is performed at an optimum quantization step conforming to the picture in the block in such a manner that picture portions having the same level may remain at the same level after re-quantization. This renders it possible to eliminate quantization distortions from being produced in the reproduced picture.

Abstract: A vector quantization encoder comprises a codebook built with the so-called Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm, an intermediary codebook built from the initial codebook (LBG) and a Hash-table containing subsets of the initial codebook (LBG). Vector quantization is then performed in two steps. First, a multistep prequantization of an input vector gives an index in the Hash-table which points to a subset of vectors of the initial codebook (LBG). Then a full search is performed within the pointed subset of vectors of the initial codebook (LBG).

Abstract: Small pieces of foreign matter on the surface of a cake such as freeze-dried preparations in a vial are detected as distinguished from cake surface irregularities including cake collapses and cracks that should be passed as being acceptable. The cake is imaged by a CCD camera or the like to produce an image signal representing an image of the cake. The level of an image signal which is higher than a predetermined upper limit is set to the upper limit and the level of an image signal which is lower than a predetermined lower limit is set to the lower limit. At least three pixel points, which include a point of interest and surrounding points one on each side of the point of interest, in an inspected region of the image are compared, and the point of interest is judged as being an abnormal point if the point of interest is brighter or darker than the surrounding points.

Abstract: To be able to transmit television pictures in a digital form through a medium having a limited bandwidth, the pictures are subjected to picture transform and to variable-length coding. The picture to be transmitted is converted in this manner into a bit stream comprising code words of variable length. This bit stream is converted into a channel bit stream which is less sensitive to transmission errors. To this end the most significant code words (representing the average luminance and the coarse picture details) of sub-pictures of 8*8 pixels are accommodated at fixed bit positions of the channel bit stream. These code words can be retrieved by simple count-down of the bit positions. The other code words are distributed over the other bit positions. The decoder is relatively simple because the length of each block comprising significant code words is also transmitted. This length is preferably adapted to the extent of picture detail in the sub-picture.

Abstract: An image coding system determines an amount a data that is output by a coder of the system and also determines a target code produced amount based on the motion of an input image. The coder of the coding system encodes the input image. A record of a data amount of past coded data is used as the inference of the target code amount. Hence, proper coding can be performed in a sending side. Further, by converting the data amount into a value with a condition to be standard, accuracy of the inference may be improved. In addition, an indication of the power amount of the data to be coded is used as a factor for determining a target code produced amount to expedite a combination of a plurality of coding modes.

Abstract: A recording device for an electronic still camera in which, even in the case where, in a recording mode in which video signals and compressed audio signals are recorded in pairs, an audio signal is not recorded after the recording of a video signal and another video signal is recorded immediately thereafter, the recording operation can be achieved readily and the signal recording or reproducing operation can be started quickly. In accordance with the invention a control unit, in response to a video signal recording instruction, operates to record a video signal on a track which is removed by a two-track pitch in one direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded, and, in response to an audio signal recording instruction, operates to record a compressed audio signal on a track which is removed by a one-track pitch in the same direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded.

Abstract: A high efficient encoding/decoding system has processor for processing a sub-macro block having at least one collection of blocks as an encoding unit of input data, and a macro block having a macro block length data for indicating the length of the macro block itself in its head position and at least one of the sub-macro blocks.

Abstract: When a digital video signal is compressed, the amount of resulting data is predicted and the quantization level is controlled so as to obtain a constant bit rate. The prediction is made by computing a linear combination of a standard deviation and a number of non-zero coefficients, or by computing a sum of absolute differences between adjacent pixel values, or by computing a dynamic range of pixel values. The bit rate can also be controlled by deleting high-frequency coefficients. To avoid image degradation, the quantization level can also be controlled according to the sensitivity of small image areas to quantization noise. Sensitivity is determined by dividing an area into subblocks, which may overlap, and calculating statistics in each subblock. To reduce the amount of computation required in motion estimation, chrominance motion vectors are derived from luminance motion vectors.