Abstract: A digital electronic still-video camera is capable of performing rapid-sequence photography at high speeds. When a rapid-sequence photographic mode has been set, each of a plurality of frames of image data obtained by such photography is compressed. Image data which forms a single multiple-frame picture is constructed by a set of image data composed of the compressed plurality of frames. Thinning out is performed in order to compress the image data. The image data is successively stored, while being thinned out, at corresponding addresses of an image memory in such a manner that a multiple-frame picture is constructed in the image memory. After photography in the rapid-sequence mode ends, the image data in the image memory is subjected to data compression and then recorded on a memory card.

Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding method for recording and reproducing video data to and from a record medium operate to communicate with plural external devices. The recording/reproducing apparatus includes plural audio/video data input/output devices each of which is programmable and coupled to a respective external device for receiving video data therefrom and transmitting reproduced video data thereto. Each input/output device is operable to receive a recording or reproducing external request signal from the respectively coupled external device, generate a respective recording/reproducing request signal in response thereto, output the request signal, receive data reproduced from a record medium during a reproducing operation and supply the reproduced data to the external device, and receive video data from the external device during a recording operation and supply the video data for recording on the record medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reproducing data from a recording medium includes a reproducing unit reproducing data from a medium, each data including an identification number corresponding to said each data; a decoder including an internal memory, storing the data from the reproducing unit in the internal memory, decoding the data stored in the internal memory, and generating a first signal indicating that the internal memory is full; and a controller receiving the first signal from the decoder, generating a jump signal to the reproducing unit based on the first signal to move a reader of the reproducing unit from the current position to a predetermined prior position on the medium, generating a second signal to the decoder for instructing the decoder to stop storing the data from the reproducing unit, and generating a third signal when the reader reaches the current position on the disc from the predetermined initial position.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up a video signal recorded on a recording medium and copying a frequency modulated signal without demodulation. In the apparatus, a high-pass filter separates a high-frequency modulated luminance signal from the modulated video signal by setting a cutoff frequency higher than a frequency band of a low frequency converted color signal. A limiter receives an output signal of the high-pass filter and limits variation of the amplitude of the output of the high-pass filter to a predetermined level. A first feature compensator receives the output signal of the limiter and corrects high frequency characteristics of the signal. A low-pass filter separates a low frequency converted color signal and a low-frequency modulated luminance signal, each having a frequency that is lower than the cutoff frequency, from the modulated video signal. A gain controller receives an output signal of the low-pass filter and maintains the received signal at a constant level.

Abstract: An image mixing circuit usable in a video camera for mixing images with a continuous gradation characteristic in both the luminance signal and color signal is provided according to the present invention. A color separation circuit separates plural image signals into plural luminance signal components and plural color signal components. A control signal generation circuit then generates the control signal needed for image synthesis from the plural image signals. A luminance signal mixing circuit and a color signal mixing circuit then separately mix the respective luminance signal components and color signal components according to the control signal.

Abstract: An analog voltage signal corresponding to a light intensity received by a photosensitive pixel is sampled. At the time when thus sampled analog voltage signal is inputted into a clamping circuit, a comparative voltage signal changing over time is coupled therewith by means of capacitive coupling. In a comparator circuit, the voltage level of the output signal from the clamping circuit is compared with the reference voltage level, while being changed. Then, the counter digital signal at the moment when the comparison result signal changes is latched in a holding circuit. Thus, imaging is executed accurately at a high speed.

Abstract: In a digital camera, a pre-measuring device obtains color temperature information according to external light in a preliminary exposure. A white balance control value is then determined. The white balance is subsequently adjusted when a strobe light is generated. A regular exposure is thereafter made using the strobe light and the image is recorded for future processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video-signal playback apparatus that allows the user to carry out cue and review operations by pressing only one operation button (a skip button) and to set the length of a review time at a value desired by the user. While watching a program in a normal playback state, the user can press the skip button once in order to put the VCR in a skip-cue state. As a point of interest has been reached, the skip button is pressed for the second time to make the VCR transit from the skip-cue state to a skip-review state. After the review operation has been carried out for a predetermined period of time, the VCR gets in a normal playback state automatically. If the skip button is pressed for the second time continuously instead of momentarily, the review operation is continued as long as the skip button is being pressed. As the skip button is released, the review operation is discontinued, putting back the VCR in a normal playback state.

Abstract: A jitter compensating device for an on-screen display (OSD) of a picture reproducing apparatus which performs a normal-play mode and a special-play mode includes a compensating vertical synchronous signal generator for receiving a vertical synchronous signal provided from a synchronous signal separator, and for generating a compensating vertical synchronous signal during a period when a dropout occurs. A switching portion selectively outputs either the vertical synchronous signal, provided from the synchronous signal separator, or the compensating vertical synchronous signal provided from the compensating vertical synchronous signal generator based upon a signal from a controller which controls the switching portion according to the normal-play mode or the special-play mode. The OSD processor operates according to the vertical synchronous signal when in the normal-play mode, and according to the compensating vertical synchronous signal when in the special-play mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing source pictures stored in a recording medium, includes a first reproducer for reproducing a video data from a first recording medium in which the video data is recorded in accordance with a data recording format having a hierarchical structure. The video data comprises at least a high resolution video data and a corresponding low resolution video data. A second reproducer is also provided for reproducing a texture image data and a key data for keying the reproduced video data from a second recording medium in which the texture image data and the key data are recorded in accordance with the same recording format as the data recording format. The texture image data comprises at least a high resolution texture image data and an associated low resolution texture image data. The key data comprises at least a high resolution key data and an associated low resolution key data.

Abstract: An image sensor is described which provides a smoothed output without storing data from photoelectric conversion elements at off-chip data storage device(s). The image sensor includes a plurality of neuron MOSFETs and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each photoelectric conversion element corresponding to one of the plurality of neuron MOSFETS. Each neuron MOSFET has at least a primary input gate, two or more secondary input gates and an output. The primary input gate of each neuron MOSFET is coupled to its corresponding photoelectric conversion element. The secondary input gates are coupled to selected ones of the other photoelectric conversion elements. A switch is coupled to the output of each of the plurality of neuron MOSFETs. The switch selectively couples each of the plurality of neuron MOSFETs to an output of the image sensor. In order to provide edge detection, a plurality of MOSFETs are provided, each having an input coupled to a respective photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a movement detector for detecting a movement of an object image frame and outputting movement information, a tracking device for tracking the object image on the basis of the movement information of the object image frame detected by the movement detector, a motion detector for detecting a motion of the object in the object image frame and a controller for changing operating characteristics of the motion detector in correspondence with an operation state of the tracking device.

Abstract: A dark shading correction circuit, used for a television camera or a video camera, is provided for canceling a dark shading signal component contained in a video signal outputted from an image pickup device (6), thereby effecting the dark shading correction on the video signal. In synchronization with a vertical synchronizing signal, the image pickup device (6) outputs a video signal containing an optical black reference signal outputted in response to each horizontal scanning signal, while a timing signal generator (10) generates at least two timing signals for detecting the optical black reference signal in the video signal. On the other hand, detection means (7a, 7b) detect at least two optical black reference signals contained in the video signal based on the at least two timing signals.

Abstract: An image information decoding and reproducing apparatus and method reproduces images in reverse sequence when a plurality of images is compressed to a single image unit and recorded to a disc-shaped recording medium. When the j-th picture from the beginning of an i-th access unit is reproduced, an image information reading section reads the two access units from (i-1)th access unit to i-th access unit, an image decoding section decodes images, and a decoded picture counter counts the number of pictures decoded after the counter has counted a particular value, e.g., 2. An image output section then outputs the picture decoded when the count detected by the decoded picture counter reaches a particular value. Reverse sequence reproduction is thereafter achieved by successively reducing the values of j and i.

Abstract: An interactive desktop system for automatically adjusting pan and zoom functions to change a field of view in response to user actions relative to a feedback image projected on a source document. The interactive desktop system includes an image capture system, a display system and a processor system. The image capture system grabs an image from the source document in its field of view. The display system indicates to a user the captured image using the feedback image, which is visible to the image capture system. In response to a user adjustment of the feedback image, the processor system adjusts either the pan or zoom function of the image capture system, thus changing the field of view of the image capture system.

Abstract: A digital camera having an upper cover functioning as a cover for the monitor and also attached to the basic body of the camera so that it can freely be opened or closed, and exposing or incorporating the monitor by opening or closing the upper cover, in which an upper cover state detector detects whether the upper cover is opened or closed, and a controller controls power supply to the basic body of the camera and/or to monitor according to a result of the detection by the upper cover state detector.

Abstract: An integrated circuit active pixel image sensor comprises an array of active pixels having associated therewith one capacitor in each pixel column for storing a combined pixel output signal comprising an image signal and a fixed offset signal and another capacitor in each column for capturing another signal produced when the pixel is reset. The array may be read row-by-row. Each column includes a comparator and a data latch via which a digitized fixed offset corrected pixel output signal is obtained using a ramp voltage source and a digital count broadcaster provided in the sensor.

Abstract: An inventive method provides various reproduction modes by controlled selection of replay locations. Selection within a video stream or between separate video streams derived for selected trick-play speeds may be facilitated. The method allows selections to be decoded and displayed independently of previously video stream selections.

Abstract: A light quantity control device includes a motor, a light quantity control member arranged to be moved by the motor used as a drive source, a speed detecting part arranged to form speed information by using information on a change of the position of the light quantity control member, a first circuit arranged to generate a first control voltage for the motor, taking the speed information into consideration, and a second control circuit arranged to generate a second control voltage for the motor, the second control voltage being opposite in polarity to the first control voltage and having the same absolute value as the first control voltage.

Abstract: This invention provides an element having a skimming charge transfer function in an X-Y address type photoelectric conversion device using, e.g., a CMOS sensor, and a photoelectric conversion device, which accumulates photoelectric signal charges produced by a photoelectric conversion element in a control electrode (gate) of a MOS transistor so as to obtain a signal with a high S/N ratio by removing signal components produced by background radiation without using any CCD as an accumulation means of skimming charges, has a skimming electrode for transferring skimming charges of those produced by the photoelectric conversion element, an n.sup.+ -type region for accumulating the transferred skimming charges, a MOS transistor for reading out potential changes caused by the skimming charges, and a circuit for automatically controlling the amount of skimming charges to be transferred.