Abstract: A video signal having a group of frames of successive dependent frames and an independent frame following the dependent frames is coded per group of frames, by interframe and intraframe coding, and a data amount of the group is controlled by feedback and feed forward control. A quantization step number for the dependent frames is changed based on a total data amount of the group and a data amount of the dependent frames for the feedback control. A temporary quantization number of the independent frame is determined for the feed forward control. A data amount predictive value for each block in the independent frame is determined by an activity of an image in each block and the temporary number of quantization steps. The predictive value is subtracted from the total data amount. A subtraction result for each block is accumulated to output a positive compensation amount if the result is a positive amount and a negative compensation amount if the result is a negative amount.

Abstract: Color and luminance measurement signals produced by the multiple sensors of a multiband (e.g. RGB color) image signal processing system are processed to reduce noise. For images such as those obtained from a multi-dye film, the luminance component of the output signal from the luminance sensor may be expressed as a function of the color components of the color sensor output signals. A first signal, representative of the constructed low frequency luminance signal, is produced as a linear function of the color sensor output signals, employing signal weighting coefficients derivable from intrinsic characteristics of the scanned image, such as the respective dye densities of a three layer color film.

Abstract: An information reproducing system plays back a group of recording mediums each having recording information to be reproduced and TOC information with respect to the recorded information, so that the recorded information of the recording mediums can be reproduced according to the TOC Information. The TOC information of the recording mediums before the recording mediums are played back, playback operation of the recording mediums is controlled based on the read TOC information. Since it is not necessary to read TOC information each time a recording medium is replaced or a group of recording mediums is replaced, the recording mediums can smoothly be played back.

Abstract: An image and voice editing system for editing a file recording medium having a first recording area with sample frames including prerecorded images and voices and a second recording area available for recording thereon. A desired image is recorded in the second recording area by the user. In the second recording area, data representing a correspondence relationship defining a correspondence between a prerecorded image of a sample frame and a desired image for reproduction is also recorded. The data representing the correspondence relationship recorded in the second recording area is referenced to incorporate the desired image recorded in the second recording area into a sample frame recorded in the first recording area to reproduce the desired image together with a corresponding voice.

Abstract: A time code signal recording circuit wherein necessary adjustment is performed not mechanically but electrically so that a relationship specified by a tape format can be satisfied with a high degree of accuracy. The time code signal recording circuit comprises a reference frame signal generating circuit, an advanced phase frame signal generating circuit for advancing, in phase, a reference frame signal from the reference frame signal generating circuit by a predetermined time, a time code signal generating circuit for generating a time code signal in accordance with the advanced phase frame signal, a time code signal delaying circuit for delaying the time code signal by a predetermined delay amount, and a time code signal recording head for recording a time code signal outputted from the time code signal delaying circuit.

Abstract: An input frame of video sequence is partitioned into smaller blocks of pixel data where each block is subjected to an edge detection which examines the activities in the block itself and the surrounding blocks to determine whether the block can be classified as an edge block. If the block is classified as a non-edge block, the conventional DCT coding method (e.g. SM3) with or without motion compensation is applied to the block. On the other hand, if the block is classified as an edge block, the block is subjected to a pixel value prediction process with or without reference to the previously coded frames, followed by a quantization process, and a run-length encoding process with variable length codes, i.e., a DPCM process.

Abstract: A video format signal recording and reproducing method wherein a plurality of division video signals are obtained by dividing a single video format signal and are recorded onto a plurality of recording media, set indication ID numbers are recorded. When the division video signals are reproduced from the recording media, the set indication ID numbers are automatically discriminated. Only when the set indication ID numbers coincide each other, the reproducing operation of the single video format signal is executed.

Abstract: A laser video disk master is operated at 2.times. speed for duplicating video information to be recorded in VHS format. Two last disk video players are modified to operate in synchronism in order to multiplex from one to the other in duplicating video programs of length equal to the two recorded disks. The 2.times. frequency NTSC format video output signal is then demodulated, drop out detection is performed, and the digitally-encoded stereo audio information is separated, error corrected, and converted by digital to analog (D/A) conversion to left and right channels of stereo analog information. The left and right channels of audio information are presented simultaneously to an FM modulator for presentation to rotating video heads and to a 2.times. Dolby processor for presentation to linear heads. The demodulated 2.times. video information is converted to digital information by an analog to digital (A/D) converter and then time-base corrected and drop out compensated.

Abstract: In a VTR for TCI signals, horizontal synchronizing signal with different time width is inserted for identifying the chrominance signal component multiplexed in each recording line at the time of recording. At the time of reproduction, this horizontal synchronizing signal is separated to generate a signal identifying the chrominance signal component in the corresponding recording line. The chrominance signal sequence in the reproduced TCI signal indicated by the identification signal and the proper sequence of the chrominance signal process are compared, where both sequences are made to coincide with each other when there is discrepancy between both sequences to prevent the generation of hue error on a monitor.

Abstract: A stereoscopic television/video system which provides true stereoscopic imaging without the use of glasses or other viewer encumbrances, and which is compatible with current storage, processing, pick-up, and broadcasting equipment as well as standard band-widths and formats, produces a composite video signal containing two images, which signal when received and displayed on a video display screen produces a manifestation containing two horizontally-disparate views of an object scene. Positioned at one of a set of mathematically defined loci in front of the video screen is a transparency consisting in vertically-oriented elements of two types: active elements which deviate light paths from the video screen, and passive elements which transmit light paths from the video screen to the viewer without deviation.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording information on a disk-shaped medium with an appropriate amount of information, and allowing immediate verifying of the recorded information. The apparatus includes a unit for recording information of a recording unit on a recording medium, a verifying unit for verifying the recorded information, adapted, after recording the information of the recording unit, to effect a track jump from the last sector of the recording unit to a first sector; and a unit for selecting the number of sectors in the recording unit in such a manner that the position after the track jump from the last second of a recording unit is in front of the first sector by a predetermined number of sectors.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus, typically a high-band 8-mm, (Hi 8) video tape recorder, records a video signal through frequency modulation on a magnetic tape. The video signal recording apparatus has a preemphasizing circuit for preemphasizing a video signal, a clipping circuit for clipping the preemphasized video signal at a clipping level, and a frequency modulator for frequency-modulating the clipped video signal. The clipping circuit comprises a white clipping circuit for applying a plurality of selectable clipping voltages corresponding to different white clipping levels, respectively, and a dark clipping circuit for applying a plurality of selectable clipping voltages corresponding to different dark clipping levels, respectively. The clipping levels are selected depending on the type of the magnetic tape, e.g., whether it is an evaporated tape or a metal tape.

Abstract: An optical disc playback device for playing back video data employs a rotation signal generation circuit for generating a signal at a period of a rotation angle provided by dividing one rotation of a disc motor to detect a record position on a disc of picture data stored in a picture memory. A laser beam spot is caused to jump a predetermined number of tracks each time a position on the disc has a specific relation to the record position in response to a signal generated by the rotation signal generation circuit whereby a still picture playback and a still picture shifting can be made frame by frame.

Abstract: An optical apparatus digitizes a first signal, reproduce or records and reproduce the digital information compressed a band up to a specified bit rate A1 at a specified rotating speed K or specified linear velocity V, digitizes a second signal, reproduces or records and reproduces the digital information compressed in a band up to a specified bit rate A2 at a rotating speed of about K.times.A2/A1, or a linear velocity of about V.times.A2/A1, and thereby reproduces or records and reproduces information of plural signals, or reproduce or records and reproduces information of plural compression rates using only one apparatus. It also digitizes a first signal, reproduces or records and reproduces the digital information compressed in a band up to a specified bit rate A1 in n optical channels, digitizes a second piece of information, reproduces or records and reproduces the digital information compressed in a band up to a specified bit rate A2 in about n.times.

Abstract: A distance measuring device including an optical system for measuring a distance by trigonometric measurement, a display device for displaying an object, image following device for following an image of the object by a following window, first and second distance detecting device for calculating distances from the optical system to objects of which the images are present in the following window and the subwindow located adjacent thereto, image-following-condition detecting device for detecting a condition of following an image of the object by the following window, and window-setting renewal device for renewing the settings of all the subwindows on the basis of the data of the calculated distance and the detected image-following-condition.

Abstract: A video signal recording-reproduction device is provided with a recording device for applying time base extension of N-times to an input video signal to form a recording signal and recording the signal on a recording medium by dividing it into a plurality of channels the number of which is given by N or integral multiples of N. The recording device includes a line memory control circuit for shifting a phase of a signal such that the phase shift between adjacent channels is a 1/N horizontal scanning period. The video signal recording-reproduction device is also provided with a reproduction device for forming an output video signal by reproducing a recording signal from each channel and by making a separated sync signal of the recording signal of each channel to coincide with a horizontal synchronizing signal of the input video signal.

Abstract: An improved technique for efficient frequency scaling wherein the number of coefficients to be included in each sub-block is selectable, and a code indicating the number of coefficients within each layer is inserted in the bitstream at the beginning of each encoded video sequence. This technique allows the original runs of zero coefficients in the highest resolution layer to remain intact by forming a sub-block for each scale from a selected number of coefficients along a continuous scan. These sub-blocks may be decoded in a standard fashion, with an inverse discrete cosine transform applied to square sub-blocks obtained by the appropriate zero padding of and/or discarding of excess coefficients from each of the scales. This technique further improves coding efficiency by allowing an implicit end of block signal to separate blocks, making it unnecessary to transmit an explicit end of block signal in most cases.

Abstract: A device for driving a liquid crystal display device including common electrodes and segment electrodes to which scanning signals and display signals whose polarities are changed every half period of a frame signal are applied respectively. This device comprises a common electrode driving circuit, a segment electrode driving circuit, a display period control circuit for supplying the common electrode driving circuit and the segment electrode driving circuit with clock pulses, display data corresponding to an image to be displayed, and the frame signals during a display period in which an operation for displaying an image on the liquid crystal device is to be performed, and a non-display period control circuit for supplying the common electrode driving circuit and the segment electrode driving circuit with frame signals during a non-display period in which the displaying operation of an image on the liquid crystal display device is to be stopped.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, which includes: a reproduced level detector for detecting the level of a reproduced signal and a memory for storing the reproduced level detected by the detector; and when recording a video signal, the signal is recorded and reproduced in advance, and this reproduced level is stored in the memory, so that an amount of emphasis of a detail emphasis circuit in a reproducing system and an amount of equalization of an FM equalizer in the recording system can be controlled in accordance with the stored reproduced level; while when reproducing the video signal, the level of a reproduced FM luminance signal is detected by the reproduced level detector, so that an amount of equalization of an FM equalizer, an amount of cancellation of a line noise canceler, and an amount of cancellation of a noise canceler in a reproducing system can respectively be controlled in accordance with the detected reproduced level; whereby the characteristic of a video tape can be controlled in a

Abstract: Method for operating an electrophoretic display panel in a hold mode that reduces power required , increases display life and improves performance which entails applying a voltage to the anode electrode structure during the "hold" mode of operation which is substantially lower in amplitude than the voltage applied to the anode structure during a "write" mode of operation.