Abstract: A video processor which forms an endoscope apparatus is capable of selecting an image signal of a plurality of modes outputted from a signal processing circuit which performs signal processing with respect to an image pickup element of an endoscope, and image signals of a plurality of modes outputted from peripheral devices such as a VTR and the like, by a changing-over switch to output the image signals of the plurality of modes from a plurality of signal output ends. The plurality of output ends are connected to a plurality of input ends of an image display apparatus for performing image display. The image display apparatus is provided with a plurality of signal processing systems corresponding to the image signal of the mode inputted from the respective input ends, and is capable of selecting a single signal processing system by a changing-over switch to output the single signal processing system to a CRT.

Abstract: The pictures of a video signal (a1) are coded and quantized in data blocks by a hybrid coder (4). A quantizer (404) is controlled in dependence upon the filling level of a buffer memory. To improve the bit rate reduction without any loss of picture quality in a standardized hybrid coder, circuitry is provided with which in special cases the usual control of the quantizer (404) is replaced by another type of control. There is such a special case when a data block is recognized as being associated with the background of a scene. This data block is then transmitted with high accuracy (very fine quantization), whereas the data blocks of the subsequent video pictures associated with the same background are not transmitted at all (coarsest quantization).

Abstract: In high efficiency coding of a motion image signal in transmission or recording of the motion image signal, plural prediction signals are determined by independently compensating a motion of reproduction signals of plural frames positioned before a frame to be coded. A linear combination of these prediction signals is used as derived a prediction signal. An error of the frame to be coded and the derived prediction signal is coded. As a result, the distortion of the prediction signal, that is, the prediction error is reduced, and the coding efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A motion picture coding and decoding system is provided, which permits high picture quality to be obtained with less information amount than that in case of a system having the sole function of DCT coding, permits reduction of block distortion of reproduced picture and permits coding efficiency increase. One picture frame is divided into a plurality of blocks for block-by-block coding. At this time, discrete cosine transform (DCT) coding and intra-block non-transform coding (NTC) are adaptively switched one over to the other according to the character of pattern. In case of the intra-block non-transform coding, predictive values of block and quantizing width are transmitted. Each block is adaptively selected with sub block of frame construction or sub block of field construction.

Abstract: An image data compressing apparatus comprises a transform unit, such as a DCT computation unit, a quantization table memory for plural types of quantization tables, a quantizer which selectively uses the quantization tables, a coder for performing coding in accordance with a pre-given predicted value for the amount of generated codes of each block, memories for storing the amounts of codes for DC components and AC components generated for the individual blocks, a computation unit for computing the sum of the amounts of generated codes for DC components and the sum of the amounts of generated codes for AC components for each properly selected quantization table, and memories for storing the computed sums of the amounts of generated codes, wherein the apparatus uses a plurality of quantization tables to predict a change in the amount of generated codes caused by the alteration of the quantization table in the first compression, and compresses image data to the target amount of generated codes in the second comp

Abstract: In a video signal transmission system in which input video signals are high efficiency coded for transmitting, the high efficiency coded data are decoded with quantization information determined for each block group by the amount of the data remaining in the buffer memory. The decoded data are compared with the original video data to determine the difference data. The difference data are weighted with a flatness value which defines the degree of perceivability of the distortion. The quantization size for the video data to be transmitted actually is determined based on the difference data or the weighted difference data so that the quality of the picture to be transmitted can be improved.

Abstract: In a picture encoding apparatus, detection of a moving vector of half-pixel precision is executed by using a single clock without increasing the number of frame memories. Time-series input pixel data is transformed into parallel pixel data; the parallel pixel data obtained through the transformation is interpolated to thereby generate interpolating data on each pixel in an area specified by a moving vector of one-pixel precision. The interpolation data is output in parallel as pixel data on a plurality of interpolation block areas obtained by displacing by 1/2 pixel the block area specified by the moving vector at one-pixel unit, thereby making it possible to quickly obtain interpolation data solely on a region around the area specified by the moving vector at one-pixel unit.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has an arrangement that its discrimination circuit discriminates the type or the operational state of the light source in accordance with a discrimination signal transmitted from a discrimination signal generator, and in accordance with the result of the discrimination, the processing operation to be performed by its video signal processing circuit is changed over to correspond to the difference in the type or the operational state of the light source. The video signal processing circuit performs a proper signal processing operation to correspond to the difference in the type of the light source to prevent deterioration in the image quality. The electronic endoscope apparatus is structured so that a different type light source can be adaptably connected to it.

Abstract: A method for incorporating future developments in video compression technology to migrate toward a better television system in a receiver-compatible manner uses enhancement data that can be combined with standard video data. Standard HDTV receivers will utilize standard video data, ignoring the enhancement data. More advanced HDTV receivers will combine the enhancement data with standard data. The television signal is transmitted in a format comprising a first set of bits that represents images at a first quality (e.g., first resolution) and that can be decoded to provide an output at the first resolution, and a second set of bits that represents enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first set of bits to provide an output at a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The first set of bits is decoded according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of images at the first resolution.

Abstract: A tracking system and method that achieves system bandwidth reduction and analyzes scene information from an expanded area around a tracked target. Objects in the scene that may interfere with the target and cause degraded tracking performance are tracked to determine the level of likely perturbation of a primary tracker due to interference. The system predicts the time at which interference due to clutter objects will occur and the estimated time duration of the interference. The system uses this information to determine and variably adjust the gains of a track loop to prevent track loss while detecting and tracking maneuvers of the target.

Abstract: An image transmission surveillance system using a radio having a remote transmitter and a base receiver provides a camera for converting visual images into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is converted by an audio module into an audio signal for transmission by the radio. A computer connected with the base receiver converts audio signals received from the audio module into image data. This data is stored in a data storage device of the computer for later review on a monitor or similar image viewing device. The audio signal can be converted into audible sound for receipt by the radio microphone.

Abstract: Tensioning device suitable for providing an adjustable and balanced tension to the power-supply and multiplexing cable (1) and to the coaxial video transmission cable (2), these being connected up to a camera turret supported by a carriage (C) for to-and-fro translation in a video surveillance tunnel, each of these two cables (1, 2) being anchored in a fixed manner to the carriage (C), as well as to its point (P1, P2) of penetration into the tunnel, coming from outside the latter, and being rigged up over the pulley of a respective tensioning pulley block (M1, M2) before being anchored to the corresponding bracket (S1, S2) of the carriage (C), these two pulley blocks (M1, M2) being connected by a flexible cablet (3) passing over return pulleys (4, 5, 7) and a roller (6) of a tensioning device.

Abstract: A waveform shaping apparatus in which no unrequired waveform shaping operation is performed even if its sensitivity is enhanced is provided. A signal (A) to be shaped in waveform is delayed by delay circuits (1 and 2) to produce signals (B and C). The signals (A, B and C) are applied to an original correction signal generating means (200a) and a control signal generating means (100a) to produce original correction signals (Ka and Kb), and control signals (Ha and Hb), respectively. A control circuit (13) selects the original correction signals (Ka and Kb), or a value "0" in accordance with the control signals (Ha and Hb) to generate a quasi-correction signal (L). The signal (L) is multiplied by a specified coefficient in a coefficient multiplier (14) to produce a correction signal (M), and the correction signal (M) is added to the signal (B) in an adder (5) to obtain an output signal (N) which has been shaped in waveform.

Abstract: An image of the surface of a measuring object is picked up by a video camera while the distance to the measuring object is changed, and the in-focus state of the video camera is detected from the fact that the contrast, which is defined by the sum of the n-th (n: integer greater than 1) power of differences in brightness between adjoining pixels in the image, has reached its maximum. Further, the position of the surface of the measuring object is measured according to the position of the video camera in the in-focus state.

Abstract: A technique for coding color components of video signals wherein a color component of an image signal sequence is filtered into a plurality of subband image signals. One or more pixels of a first subband image signal are coded using one or more bits of a first quantity of bits. The first subband image signal reflects an image structure of a color component of the image signal sequence. The first subband includes low spatial and temporal frequencies of the color component. A second quantity of bits is used for coding one or more pixels of a second subband image signal. This second quantity of bits comprises one or more bits of the first quantity of bits not used in coding pixels of the first subband image signal. One or more pixels of the second subband image signal are coded using one or more of the second quantity of bits. The second subband image signal reflects image object motion information of the color component of the image signal sequence.

Abstract: A motion detector, particularly for use in a television system for transmitting television pictures in a digital form, is adapted to partition each picture into pixel blocks, to subject each pixel block to a modified intraframe transform for determining a first coefficient which corresponds to the basic picture having the lowest horizontal and highest vertical frequency, and to determine a plurality of further coefficients which correspond to basic pictures also having the lowest horizontal frequency, but a vertical frequency which is lower than that for the first coefficient. The motion detector signalizes the presence of motion within a pixel block if the first coefficient has a large absolute value, but if simultaneously none of the further coefficients has a sufficiently large absolute value. If the first coefficient has a sufficiently large absolute value, absence of motion is nevertheless signalized if simultaneously one of the further coefficients also has a sufficiently large absolute value.

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 portable, electronic camera is connectable to a computer for capturing an image and providing the captured image to the computer for storage therewith. The camera ergonomically acts like an independent, self-functioning peripheral device while in actuality depending on instructions from the computer. The camera is remotely linked to the computer, e.g., by a cable, thereby allowing mobility of the camera independent of the computer. The camera includes an electronic image sensor, and circuit for driving the sensor to generate an image signal that is applied to the computer through the remote link. The readiness of the computer to accept an image signal is manifested by operative device in the camera, which condition the camera for image capture in response to a status signal from the computer transmitted through the remote link.

Abstract: In a compressed motion picture signal expander, if the compressed motion picture signal includes an uncorrectable signal error, the resulting defective picture block can be replaced by a replacement picture block that blends in smoothly with the picture blocks surrounding it. Hence the picture error resulting from the uncorrectable signal error is concealed. The defective picture block resulting from a signal portion including an uncorrectable signal error is replaced by a replacement block produced by prediction from a past picture using the motion of the past picture. In this manner, the defective picture block can be replaced by the replacement picture block that blends smoothly with the surrounding picture blocks regardless of the existence of motion in the picture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a home automation system, wherein a coaxial cable or other home bus path for data transmission is placed inside a home to connect an intercom unit and monitor camera, which comprise a hardware interface for communication with visitors, and a conventional home television to this bus, thereby to make it possible to output the audio and video signals from the intercom unit and monitor camera on a conventional broadcast reception television.