Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording and playing back monitored video data for recording monitored video data generated continuously for a long time on a magnetic tape, with less S/N degradation by shortening the operation time of the VTR to suppress the degradation of the magnetic tape, recording head, and other mechanical items, wherein video signals from a video camera are converted to digital signals in an A/D converter, compressed and encoded in a compression encoder & decoder circuit, then transferred to a time axis compression circuit including the first memory, the second memory, an SCSI controller, and a hard disk unit, thereafter compressed on the time axis and recorded on the magnetic tape loaded in a D-VHS standard VTR via an I/F circuit.

Abstract: When a video signal reproduced by a helical scan type video signal reproducing apparatus is displayed on the screen of a liquid crystal matrix circuit, a change in brightness on the screen is eliminated in a mode for displaying a trick reproduced image such as a noiseless search image, a still image or the like with respect to a mode for displaying a normally reproduced image, thus providing the user with displayed images causing a less feeling of strangeness. During normal reproduction, where a video signal is continuously written into a liquid crystal display circuit, the brightness of the liquid crystal display circuit is controlled based on the value in a reference brightness register set by the user. During trick reproduction, where a video signal is discontinuously written into the liquid crystal display circuit, the liquid crystal display circuit is controlled to display an image relatively darker than the value in the reference brightness register.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus arranged to use a magnetic tape. The apparatus operates to derive the current taken-up position of the magnetic tape from the signals that are proportional to the rotation frequencies of a capstan motor, a supply reel and a take-up reel. Only when the taken-up position is near the tape end, the apparatus activates LEDs (light emitting elements) for sensing the tape end and photo-transistors (light receiving elements), for sensing the tape end.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus equipped with an image sensor, has a camera portion having an A/D converter for converting a signal from an image sensor into a digital signal and a first digital processor for receiving an output of the A/D converter and for digitally processing thereof. A VTR portion of a helical scan type mounts at least two or more of magnetic heads for recording/reproducing a FM modulated luminance signal and a low band converted chrominance signal. A second digital processor processes a video signal of the VTR. A switching circuit is provided in a preceding stage of the A/D converter. The image sensor signal, an external video signal and a reproduced signal from the magnetic heads are exchanged. The output of the A/D converter is inputed to the second digital processor, and a sampling clock of the A/D converter is exchanged to the most appropriate clock for the respective image sensor signal, the external video signal and the reproduced signal from the magnetic heads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information providing system. More particularly, this invention relates to an information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus. The information management apparatus comprises a main information reproducing means for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management means for managing the main information reproducing means for reproducing the main information. The present invention provides a receiving means provided with a means for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing means provided with a reproduction disabling means for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information providing system. More particularly, this invention relates to an information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus. The information management apparatus comprises a main information reproducing means for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management means for managing the main information reproducing means for reproducing the main information. The present invention provides a receiving means provided with a means for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing means provided with a reproduction disabling means for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording and playing back monitored video data for recording monitored video data generated continuously for a long time on a magnetic tape, with less SIN degradation by shortening the operation time of the VTR to suppress the degradation of the magnetic tape, recording head, and other mechanical items, wherein video signals from a video camera are converted to digital signals in an A/D converter, compressed and encoded in a compression encoder & decoder circuit, then transferred to a time axis compression circuit including the first memory, the second memory, an SCSI controller, and a hard disk unit, thereafter compressed on the time axis and recorded on the magnetic tape loaded in a D-VHS standard VTR via an I/F circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus has compatibility with a conventional analog signal recording/reproducing VTR and can realize an operation mode in which a digital signal is recorded and/or reproduced. During N-times long time recording, the travel speed of a magnetic recording medium is set to 1/N of that during normal recording to perform recording every N scanning operations of a rotary head and during N-times long time reproduction, the travel speed of the magnetic recording medium is set to 1/N of that during normal recording and the travel of the magnetic recording medium is controlled such that the level of a reproduction signal reproduced every N scanning operations of the rotary head at a predetermined timing is maximized so as to reproduce a reproduction signal at that timing.

Abstract: A video recording/reproducing apparatus capable of discriminating commercial message portions even when a broadcasting mode is the same. A magnetic head records television broadcasting signals to a magnetic tape and reproduces the television broadcasting signals from this magnetic tape. When the television broadcasting signals are reduced by recording/reproducing apparatus, an audio-free portion detector detects audio-free portions from audio signals in the television broadcasting signals. Commercial message (CM) portion detector detects the commercial message portions in the television broadcasting signals by the time intervals among a plurality of audio-free portions detected by the audio-free portion detector, and a CM information memory circuit stores the information of the recording positions of the commercial message portions detected by this commercial message portion detector to the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A helical scanning video tape recorder for recording and reproducing video signals and audio signals to/from a magnetic tape. The video tape recorder includes an analog signal reproducing mode in which an FM luminance signal and a down-converted chrominance signal are reproduced from the magnetic tape by a pair of magnetic heads having a first azimuth angle and an FM audio signal is reproduced from a deep layer of the magnetic tape by a pair of magnetic heads having a second azimuth angle, and a digital signal reproducing mode in which a digital signal is reproduced from the magnetic tape by the pair of magnetic heads having the second azimuth angle. The digital signal is converted into a signal having a frequency in a frequency band higher than a frequency of the FM audio is signal. The video type recorder also includes a recording mode detector and a controller.

Abstract: A video data compression/playback system efficiently compresses a plurality of video data pieces through inter-frame predictive-encoding. Mixed video data VSMIr composed of time-divided video data received by video input terminals are divided video data pieces each of which corresponding to video input terminals and the video data pieces are written into memories respectively by a memory control circuit for recording mode. The mixed video data written into the memories is read, a specified number of frames at a time. An MPEG encoding circuit performs inter-frame predictive-encoding for each specified number of frames.

Abstract: A recording apparatus of a helical scan system, including a first video head which records video signals on a magnetic tape when a running speed of the magnetic tape is a standard speed and a second video head which records video signals on the magnetic tape when the running speed of the magnetic tape is approximately 1/N of the standard speed, N being an integer larger than 3.

Abstract: A video recording/reproducing apparatus capable of discriminating commercial message portions even when a broadcasting mode is the same. A magnetic head records television broadcasting signals to a magnetic tape and reproduces the television broadcasting signals from this magnetic tape. When the television broadcasting signals are reduced by recording/reproducing apparatus, an audio-free portion detector detects audio-free portions from audio signals in the television broadcasting signals. Commercial message (CM) portion detector detects the commercial message portions in the television broadcasting signals by the time intervals among a plurality of audio-free portions detected by the audio-free portion detector, and a CM information memory circuit stores the information of the recording positions of the commercial message portions detected by this commercial message portion detector to the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A VTR compatible with the current analog VTR and capable of recording and reproducing digital signals, determines the presence or absence of recorded digital signals and selects an operating mode for recording and reproducing in accordance therewith.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing apparatus and a reproducing apparatus based on a helical scan system for recording or reproducing a video signal and an audio signal on or from a magnetic tape by use of a magnetic head assembly mounted on a rotary drum, the recording/reproduction of an audio signal in both a standard play mode with a tape speed equal to a standard speed and a long play mode or N-ple play mode with a tape speed N times (N: an integer not smaller than 4) as high as the standard speed is performed by a common audio head. At the time of reproduction in the N-ple play mode, the optimum tracking control is performed by a tracking control system by use of an output of the audio head. At the time of completion of recording in the N-ple play mode, a video signal is supplied with a time prolonged corresponding to the delay of scan of a video head from that of the audio head so that a video track is surely overwritten on an audio track.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus equipped with an image sensor, comprising:

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus equipped with an image sensor includes a camera portion having an A/D converter for converting a signal from an image sensor into a digital signal and a first digital processor for receiving an output of said A/D converter and for digitally processing thereof. A VTR portion of a helical scan type mounts at least two or more of magnetic heads for recording/reproducing a FM modulated luminance signal and a low band converted chrominance signal. A second digital processor processes a video signal of the VTR. A switching circuit is provided in a preceding state of said A/D converter. The signal from the image sensor, an external video signal and a reproduced signal from the magnetic heads are exchanged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information providing system. More particularly, this invention relates to an information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus. The information management apparatus comprises a main information reproducing means for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management means for managing the main information reproducing means for reproducing the main information. The present invention provides a receiving means provided with a means for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing means provided with a reproduction disabling means for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a plurality of recording/reproducing modes, such as a long-time recording/reproducing mode and a high rate recording/reproducing mode for digital signals, is intended to form an ideal recording pattern for any head configuration.

Abstract: On the occasion of stopping the tape running at a high speed, a winding radius of the tape supply reel is detected to set the tape deceleration rate (a) on the basis of the detected winding radius of the supply reel. After the tape running speed is decelerated up to the allowable speed VL in the predetermined deceleration rate (a), the tape is stopped by effectuating the brake. Thereby, the tape can be driven at the speed higher than the allowable speed VL without generating any damage, enabling reduction of time required for the fast-forward/rewind operation. Moreover, application flexibility is improved by providing a couple of tape running modes at the first high speed V1 which is higher than the allowable speed VL and the second high speed V2 which is lower than the allowable speed VL.