Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, and the microcomputer 110 controls so that movable mirrors 121a and 121b to enter an optical path of an image pickup optical system after the amount of light from a subject is obtained based on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130, a strobe 137 emits light, and measurement results of an AE sensor 133 are obtained. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.

Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.

Abstract: A sync signal time difference detection circuit detects a time difference of reproduced sync signals reproduced by a first head and a second head having different azimuth angles. Rotation of a capstan motor is controlled in accordance with sync signal time difference information output from the sync signal time difference detection circuit, thereby performing a highly accurate tracking control not affected by jitter or eccentricity.

Abstract: A sync signal time difference detection circuit detects a time difference of reproduced sync signals reproduced by a first head and a second head having different azimuth angles. Rotation of a capstan motor is controlled in accordance with sync signal time difference information output from the sync signal time difference detection circuit, thereby performing a highly accurate tracking control not affected by jitter or eccentricity.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an image sensor that captures the optical image of an object formed by an imaging optical system and converts the optical image into the electrical still image signal, a signal processor for dividing a representation of the image signal into a plurality of areas, and for determining a color characteristic for each area of the plurality of areas, the color characteristic consisting of a hue and/or chroma saturation, a selector for selecting at least one area of the plurality of area for which its respective color characteristic substantially corresponds to a preset color characteristic, and a focus controller for determining focus parameters of the imaging apparatus for the selected area and generating a focus control signal for adjusting the image optical system based on the focus parameters.

Abstract: A sync signal time difference detection circuit (7) detects a time difference of reproduced sync signals reproduced by a first head (100) and a second head (101) having different azimuth angles. Rotation of a capstan motor (2) is controlled in accordance with sync signal time difference information output from the sync signal time difference detection circuit (7), thereby performing a highly accurate tracking control not affected by jitter or eccentricity.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing device according to the present invention operates with steps of moving a magnetic tape having a plurality of tracks per frame and a plurality of control signals recorded thereon, keeping count of the pulses of a frequency generator signal corresponding to the rotation of a capstan motor by a frequency generator counter, resetting the count of the frequency generator pulses by the control signal reproduced by a fixed magnetic head, detecting the track number by the control signal counter reset by a frame reference signal, controlling, at the start, the start timing on the basis of the tape stop position detected by the frequency generator pulse counter and control counter and the reference frame signal from the reference frame signal generator. The device prevents thinning of tracks at the editing point in after-break recording and the disturbance of images immediately after the start.

Abstract: The present invention is a video signal recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing video signals (SvN) inputted from a plurality (n) of different cameras (CMn). A frame switcher (2) sequentially selects one of the video signals (SvN) in prescribed order, and identifying signal adders (10a, 10b) add an identifying signal (Sid) representing a corresponding camera number (N) to the selected video signal (SvN) and generate recording signals (Sr1, Sr2). A recording signal processor (11) modulates the recording signals (Sr1, Sr2) and recording magnetic heads (16a, 16b) record them on a magnetic tape (4). Reproducing heads (15a, 15b) reproduce a recorded recording signal (Sr′) from the magnetic tape (4) and a reproducing processor (14) demodulates the signal. A camera number detector (23) detects the identifying signal (Sid) from a demodulated video signal (Sr2′).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording control pulses on a control track are provided. The control pulses correspond to a number M (where M is an integer equal to or larger than four) of azimuthal tracks on the tape on which the number M of segmented data, obtained by dividing image data corresponding to one frame into the number M of segments, are recorded. One period of the control pulses corresponds to a number N (where N is a divisor of M) of azimuthal tracks, and a duty ratio pattern of the control pulses in a number L (L=M/N) of successive periods corresponding to one frame is different in each of a number K (where K is an integer equal to or larger than two) of successive frames.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes: a recorder for recording information signals so as to form tracks obliquely on a magnetic tape, and for recording pilot signals so that the frequency may differ between different modes such as SP and LP; a reproducing head for reproducing recorded information; an error detecting circuit for comparing the level difference of pilot signals recorded in both tracks adjacent to the track to be scanned by there producing head and for outputting a tracking error signal; and a controller for controlling the feed of the magnetic tape so that the tracking error signal may be balanced. Preferably, in the LP mode, a pilot signal of a higher frequency than that used in the SP mode is recorded. In a tracking error detector for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for detecting the pilot signal, the reproduced signals are sampled at a frequency at a common multiple of each pilot frequency, a pilot signal is detected, and a tracking error signal is output.

Abstract: A tracking error detecting circuit is used in a magnetic reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information signal from tracks which are formed on a magnetic tape obliquely in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. The tracks have selectively recorded thereon a pilot signal multiplexed with the information signal. The tracking error detecting circuit comprises: a rotating magnetic head scanning the tracks for reproducing the information signal on which the pilot signal is selectively multiplexed to obtain a reproduced signal; a comparator for comparing a level of the reproduced signal with a specified level and for issuing a binary signal representing a comparison result; and a level detecting circuit for detecting a level of the pilot signal contained in the reproduced signal from an output of the comparator.

Abstract: In an apparatus for multi-segment recording/reproducing of a compressed digital video signal, a reproduced position within a group unit of the video signal is detected by a reproduced position detector in its reproducing state. A relative position detector detects and stores a phase difference of the reproduced position and a position indicated by a reference signal synchronized with the input video signal. A delay time adjuster adjusts a delay time of the compressed video signal according to this phase difference. A head is changed over from its reproducing state to its recording state by a switch so as to record the compressed video signal delayed by the delay time adjuster on a recording medium.

Abstract: A tracking error detecting circuit in which tracking error detecting pilot signals having different frequencies are added to a main signal every track and recorded onto a magnetic recording medium, and upon reproduction, reproduction output levels of the pilot signals reproduced as crosstalks from both of adjacent tracks are compared, and a tracking error is detected. n signals having the same frequencies as those of the pilot signals and whose phases are different are generated and multiplied to the reproduction signal. Unnecessary components are eliminated by n LPFs (Lowpass filters). The amplitude values of the reproduced pilot signals are vector separated and detected. Further, the vector separated amplitude values are vector synthesized and detected. Therefore, by multiplying the signals having the same frequencies as those of the pilot signals, the synchronous detection is performed.

Abstract: A full wave drive brushless DC motor system detects zero-crossing points of counter electromotive forces respectively induced by the stator windings, and then pulse-shapes the thus detected zero-crossing points to obtain a pulse signal train, and then measures the thus obtained period of the pulse signal train to determine a conducting phase of the stator windings in response to the thus counted period. The system is thereby capable of supplying an electric current bidirectionally to each of the stator windings without using a position sensor for detecting a position of a rotor.