Abstract: A video tape recording apparatus records and reproduces digital video and audio signals in the form of coded signals that have a recording format which includes a video signal recording area for recording video data and its respective accompanying information, an audio signal recording area for recording video data and its respective accompanying information, insert and track information and subcode information. Preferably, the recording format includes packs having a pack header having a large data item and a small data item to indicate the format and use of the succeeding pack data. Errors in the recorded and reproduced audio and video signals are detected and the value of the respective accompanying information changed to prevent reading of erroneous stored data and thus prevent propagation of errors.

Abstract: A plurality of test signals of different frequencies are recorded on a magnetic recording medium while gradually increasing or decreasing recording current, and the variation of the level of each of the replayed test signals and the variation of the recording current are stored in a memory. From these variations, the amount of detail emphasis and/or the frequency characteristic of a recording equalizer and/or the recording current value for optimum recording of video signals are calculated and stored in another memory, and based on the thus stored optimum data for the magnetic recording medium displayed on display means, a detail emphasis circuit, a recording equalizer frequency correction circuit, and a recording current value setting circuit are controlled singly or in any combination thereof, thereby controlling one or other or any combination of three factors, i.e.

Abstract: A real-time image compression processor records on a CD or other recording media a compressed video signal which is compressively processed in a high recording efficiency at real-time as being reproduced by a VTR while preventing the image quality from being degraded. There are provided a first encoder for compressively encoding the video signal, and a second encoder for compressively encoding the signal obtainable by delaying such video signal for a given period of time. A parameter adjustment is executed for the second encoder in accordance with the compressed video signal obtained through the compressive encoding by the first encoder. The compressed video signal obtained by the second encoder is recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: In a system for reproducing signals which may be video or audio, the reproduced signal is judged to be an audio signal if signals corresponding to sync signals occur at a rate frequency greater than once per field interval. In one embodiment, the track judgment system counts the output signals generated from a signal separating circuit during reproduction. The track judgment system also monitors the output of a pulse generator (PG) detector during reproduction. The outputs from the signal separating circuit and the PG detector are logically evaluated to determine the type of signal being reproduced.

Abstract: A read device (320) for reading a record carrier (184) on which coded pictures (4TV, TV, TV/4) have been recorded. The recorded coded pictures represent pictures made up of a matrix of P rows of Q pixels (p). The dimension of the pixels in a horizontal direction is substantially equal to the dimension of the pixels in a vertical direction. A read unit (6) reads the recorded coded pictures (4TV, TV, TV/4) from the record carrier (184). The device comprises a picture converter, which preferably comprises a sample rate converter (290), for converting the read-out coded pictures into an adapted coded picture comprising P'.times.Q' coded pixels. The sample rate converter is arranged in a data path between the read unit (6) and a picture memory unit (321). The picture memory unit (321) supplies a coded picture representing a picture made up of pixels (p') whose ratio between the dimension in the horizontal direction and the dimension in the vertical direction is substantially equal to Q/P, P and Q being integers.

Abstract: An optical disk containing PG-rated and R-rated versions of the same motion picture. To minimize redundant storage of data, three types of video data blocks are provided in the same track, in an interleaved fashion--A-type blocks which contain material unique to version A, B-type blocks which contain material unique to version B, and C-type blocks which contain material common to both. A series of codes and pointers included in each block allow play of all common blocks, play of all A or B blocks depending on which version has been selected, and skipping over of the blocks which contain data unique to the unselected version. Play of adult-rated versions are automatically prevented if a parental lock option in the player has been keyed on. The disk may contain special software for identifying multiple versions of the same material where the selection criterion is one other than a rating.

Abstract: A video signal recording format, a deep recording/reproducing apparatus of a video signal and method therefor includes a recording system in which a digital video signal of one frame is divided into a predetermined number of segments and recorded on a surface level of a recording medium using a corresponding number of tracks, and an undivided digital video signal of one frame is recorded in the predetermined number of tracks on a deep level of the recording medium, and a reproducing system in which the digital video signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced, with the surface-level-recorded data being reproduced during normal speed playback and with the deep-level-recorded data being reproduced during multi-functional playback (high-speed playback). The apparatus and method reduces the overhead of data on the surface level of a recording medium to thereby increase recording efficiency.

Abstract: An endoscope image recording apparatus comprises a video endoscope having, at a forward end of an inserting section, an image pickup element, for image-picking-up the interior of a body cavity or the like, an image control unit for signal-processing a picture signal from the video endoscope, to generate an image signal, a portable IC memory card for recording the image signal from the image control unit as image data, a digital audio tape (DAT), a monitor for displaying the image signal from the image control unit or image data recorded on the IC memory card or the DATA, and indication means for indicating control operation to the image control unit. The IC memory card and the DAT tape record a serial number of the image, an INDEX image of the image, patient data, and image data. The IC memory card records an ID number of the DAT tape, while the DAT tape records an ID number of the IC memory card.

Abstract: A system for programming the automatic operation of a video recorder over an extended time period uses an associated television receiver as a display device for alphanumeric messages to the operator to provide a self-explanatory, interactive programming routine. The video recorder system includes a digital memory, a real time digital clock, and an alphanumeric character generator, all connected to a central digital controller. A keypad allows the operator to initiate a programming routine in which previously stored programming messages are called up from memory and generated on the TV receiver's display tube using the character generator. The operator's responses entered via the keypad are stored in the memory and are called up at future times to generate control signals for the video recorder. The video recorder system further includes a memory storing digital data representing a schedule of programming available for a future period.

Abstract: A data recording system for recording in a CD-ROM or similar recording medium a data file containing data such as compressed audio and video data and an index file containing index data for searching the individual data of the data file. The data stored in the data file are recorded in a CD-ROM in three hierarchical stages, i.e., titles, scenes and shots or chapters, scenes and clips. The index file has a hierarchical format associated with that of the data file in order to manage the data of the data file in consecutive stages.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing digitized audio information and digitized picture information establishes a reference time base based on timecodes included with the audio and picture information. The reference time base may be used to synchronize output between a digitized source and one which may be digitized or undigitized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for use with a system including a digital data base for storing digitized images and digitized audio messages, for controlling concurrent reproduction of digitized images on an image reproduction device and audio information on a sound reproduction device. The digitized images are stored as image data files in the digital data base. Likewise, the digitized audio messages are stored as audio data files in the data base. Audio messages and images are associated with each other. This is accomplished by means of a presentation sequences file stored in the data base or in a separate EEPROM memory. In response to a user command, a controller causes image data and audio data for a selected image and an accompanying audio message to be read from the data base.

Abstract: A VCR includes circuitry for controlling a cable converter unit, circuitry for detecting the presence of a television signal, and control code transmission circuitry for remotely controlling a cable converter unit. Advantageously, because the VCR is coupled to the output of the cable converter unit, the VCR can monitor the television signals received from the cable converter unit to ensure that commands sent to the cable converter unit from the VCR are executed. It is herein recognized that a skip list programmed into a VCR may be used by the VCR to control a cable box. That is, in response to a channel up command received by the VCR, the VCR would not change channels itself, but rather controls the cable box to select the next preferred channel entered in the skip list of the VCR. In this mode of operation, the channel tuning keys (e.g., CHAN UP, CHAN DN) of the VCR remote control are used to control an external source of signals, while the VCR mechanism control keys (e.g.

Abstract: An image processing system comprising and image recording system and an image rendering system. The image recording system records images of a scene, and comprises a recording device for recording images of the scene on a series of frames, each frame including image information reflecting the scene as illuminated at the time the frame was recorded, a plurality of individually-energizable light sources each for illuminating the scene; and a synchronizer connected to the recording device and the light sources for synchronizing the separate energization of the light sources and the recording by the recording device of the separate frames in the series. The image rendering system generates a rendered image which reflects a desired light source position.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including "VCR PLUS+.TM." videocassette recorder programming system capability and autoprogramming capability, it is herein recognized that the channel-mapping procedure may be greatly simplified by using the autoprogramming feature to locate and program all active channels, and then by mapping only those channels which are active, instead of requiring the user to select all 125 possible channel-programming positions.

Abstract: In a digital VCR, which carries out bit rate reduction coding of digital video signals for magnetically recording and reproducing the same, a plurality of blocks each including the digital video signal of a plurality of pixels are formed, and the digital video signals are encoded for each block. A code amount is controlled so that the code amount may be constant on the basis of one or more of the plurality of blocks, and encoding is carried out for correcting a possible error, whereby error correction blocks are formed. The error correction blocks are rearranged so that the error correction blocks included in the blocks, which are adjacent to each other in a screen, may be adjacent to each other on a recording medium, and the data for three rectangular regions, which are obtained by trisecting the screen with respect to the horizontal direction, may be recorded in corresponding three tracks. Thereby, mosaic deformation in a reproduced picture can be prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for recording in selectable recording modes, track number data and information signals in recording tracks on a recording medium, in which the track number of a track in which an information signal is recorded is determined by utilizing a ratio of a track pitch produced when a first recording mode is selected and a track pitch produced when a second recording mode is selected.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading picture data stored on a record carrier for first and second pictures, and providing an output video signal which changes smoothly from the first to the second picture. The apparatus has a single picture memory having storage locations for values representing individual pixels, and a converter for converting signal values fetched from the memory into a video signal. Data for a new picture are read into the memory without such adaptation as filtering or correcting color resolution. During intervals when the memory is not otherwise being accessed, newly recorded data are adapted and the adapted data are then stored. Priority are given to fetching data for the video generator, and loading data read from the record carrier.

Abstract: A control circuit includes: a capacitor for normal reproduction which stores an output of a reproduction color burst level detection for automatic color signal level control in a color signal processing circuit at the time of normal reproduction in a video cassette recorder; a capacitor for special reproduction which stores an output of a reproduction color burst level detection for automatic color signal level control at the time of special reproduction in the video cassette recorder; a switch for changing-over between outputs of the capacitors to supply a selected output to a gain variable amplifier for color signal amplification; and applying circuit for applying a voltage of the capacitor for special reproduction to the capacitor for normal reproduction at the time of special reproduction.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, for use in a video cassette recorder ("VCR") equipped with a timer recording feature is capable of eliminating an interference between a first broadcast signal selected by a VCR tuner and a second broadcast signal captured by a television ("TV") tuner. The apparatus comprises a timer recording control unit for controlling the timer recording and detecting the onset time of the timer recording to thereby generate a detection signal, a control signal generator for generating a control signal in response to the detection signal, and a switch, in response to the control signal, for decoupling a driving power from a modulation circuit and a coupling circuit included in the VCR.