Abstract: A measure obtained by a counting circuit (2) is converted by a processing circuit (3) to an indication angle signal at a predetermined conversion cycle. A smoothing circuit (4) comprises a division circuit (11) for calculating the difference between the previous indication angle data .theta..sub.0 and the present indication angle data .theta..sub.1 which is outputted after the conversion cycle T and has changed, and sequentially accumulating the angle data corresponding to T/n (where n is an integer of 2 or more) shorter than the conversion cycle T at a division cycle T/n and a voltage memory (12) for converting and outputting a two-phase driving signal for driving a stepper motor type measuring instrument (6) on the basis of the indication angle data .theta..sub.i outputted from the division circuit (11) every division cycle T/n. A voltage signal is generated through an output circuit (5) for converting the signal to a voltage signal to be applied to a two-phase excitation coil of a stepper motor.

Abstract: A stepping motor type instrument 6 has driving circuits 3, 4 for driving a stepping motor based on a digital signal corresponding to a measurement quantity and a needle 9 fixed to a driving shaft end of this stepping motor indicates the measurement quantity by pointing out a graduation 8 on a character panel 7 corresponding to the measurement quantity.

Abstract: Route guidance for vehicle navigation in which a destination in a category of places is searched for and guidance along a suitable guide route to the destination is performed. If the user's original purpose cannot be achieved even after reaching the destination, another destination in the same category of places is automatically searched for and guidance to the new destination is performed along a suitable guide route. If e.g. the category is convenience stores, then convenience stores within a certain range of the user's vehicle position are searched to find the nearest destination. A guide route to the destination is found (excluding congested roads or roads under traffic control on the basis of road traffic information obtained e.g. from ATIS).

Abstract: Provided is a method for crimping a thermoplastic member which allows a first member made of thermoplastic resin to be mounted on a second member at a high mounting strength without complicating the fabrication process and without causing any reduction in the production efficiency. After an entire portion of the first member that is to be crimped is thermally melted or softened, the portion is deformed and crimped by using a crimping die having a die surface which is at a temperature lower the melting point of the thermoplastic resin. Therefore, the deformed portion is given with a uniform internal structure free from internal defects such as cracks and interfaces. Because the interior of the crimped portion remains to be hot as compared to the surface portion which is in contact with the crimping die during the crimping process, a certain pattern of internal stress is produced in the internal part which opposes the internal stress of the surface portion as the deformed portion cools and contracts.

Abstract: A communication system for e.g. an automobile including a system control unit for activating a selected audio/video device (such as an AM/FM tuner or a navigation system) in response to a request signal transmitted on a bus from a command input terminal. The system control unit generates command signals necessary to activate the selected audio/video device in response to the request signal, including command signals to de-activate any currently-operating devices. Conversely, adjustment commands (such as volume change or channel change commands) are transmitted directly (that is, unchanged by the system control unit) from the command input terminal to the selected audio/video device on the first bus line. In addition, the audio/video devices transmit reset signals whenever power is shut-off and then restored. Each reset signal includes a transmission source address corresponding to the audio/video device which transmitted the signal.

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 communication system including a plurality of audio/video devices including one or more audio signal source devices and image (video) signal source devices connected to a bus, each audio/video device of a common type having a common bus address. Each audio/video device is provided with a predetermined priority value which is stored in memory. Upon power up, every device transmits a communication frame including its own address and its priority value on the bus. When two or more common-type devices (i.e., having a common address) are connected to the bus, conflict is avoided by disabling the device or devices having lower priority values. That is, when each of the common-type device receives a communication frame having the common address, the device compares the transmitted priority value with its stored priority value. If the stored priority value is less than the received priority value, the device disables itself.

Abstract: An image outline filling system comprises an image outline memory for storing start positions and end positions of image outlines, and a controllable arithmetic circuit which changes its output status in a positive direction at a start position of the image outlines and changes the output status in a negative direction at a end position of the image outlines. By filling a region in which the output status has a value of the positive direction, the image outline whose inside is filled is obtained.

Abstract: An electronic still camera having a first switch for selecting either a field record mode or a frame record mode, and a second switch for selecting either a normal mode or a high-band mode, further includes a control circuit which sets the frame record mode either when the high-band mode is selected by the second switch, or when the high-band mode is selected by the second switch and the field record mode is selected by the first switch, in the latter case optionally switching to the frame record mode only if no recording operation is performed during a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A mode discriminating device which discriminates whether a normal mode or a high-band mode is used to reproduce a recorded video signal. If the reproduction level is too low and/or the noise level is too high, a mute signal is used in determining the discriminating signal so that an erroneous detection thereof is not carried out.

Abstract: An external storage device having racks for receiving cartridges each accommodating a storage medium therein, drive units capable of recording and reproducing data from the storage medium, a mechanism for transporting the cartridge, and a mechanism for loading the cartridge. A mechanical section and a control section are disposed in a rectangular parallelepiped housing and isolated from each other, except for a portion for ventilation, by a partition. An air inlet is formed in the housing adjacent to the mechanical section and provided with a filter and suction fans. An air outlet is formed in the housing adjacent to the control section and provided with an exhaust fan. The drive units and racks have substantially the same height and same width and are arranged face-to-face at both sides of the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A rotation control apparatus provides servo control over a recording medium, which allows information signals to be read thereto or written therefrom. The apparatus is capable of effecting proper recording or reproduction even immediately after switching of modes. A motor imparts rotary motion to a recording medium; a pulse generator is arranged to detect the rotation of the recording medium and then to output a pulse of frequency proportional to the rotational speed of the recording medium; a servo circuit receives a reference pulse and the pulse output from the pulse generator and then controls the motor to rotate so that the phase difference between the reference pulse and the pulse output from the pulse generator is constant.

Abstract: A magnetic recorder and regenerator has a luminate signal input terminal for receiving a luminance signal, a line-sequential signal input terminal for receiving a line sequential signal consisting of alternately line-sequenced color differential signals having a d.c. level difference, and a detecting circuit for detecting the d.c. level difference in the line-sequential signal which is provided from the regenerator system of one magnetic recorder and regenerator used for signal regeneration and which is to be transferred, before being rearranged into its component color differential signals, to the recorder system of another magnetic recorder and regenerator used for signal recording. A gain-controlled amplifier is responsive to the output from the detecting circuit for adjusting the d.c. level difference in the line-sequential signal to a prescribed value, whereby it can suppress fluctuations in the line-sequential signal level during a dubbing process, avoiding picture quality deterioration.

Abstract: A device capable of reproducing recording information without error and which eliminates a deterioration in a reproduced image quality during a dubbing operation. The still image reproducing device has a change-over switch that is capable of selectively delivering a demodulated image signal obtained through delaying an image signal by a time corresponding to 0.5 H. A control circuit outputs a switching control signal upon completion of one full rotation of a recording medium. A decoder decodes the demodulated recording information in response to a decoder control circuit, enabling the decoder to operate when the change-over switch is delivering the demodulated composite image signal. In the still image recording device, the composite image signal is FM demodulated. The demodulated composite image signal is multiplexed with a signal obtained by encoding and modulating the recording information. The multiplexed signal is supplied to a recording head through the gate circuit.

Abstract: A dubbing apparatus for dubbing signals in which recording information, such as a distinction between the field picture and the frame picture, the track number, the date of shooting, etc. is multiplexed with compound video signals of a still picture. Revising data is inputted for instructing the revision of recording information. A decoder decodes the recording information to be dubbed. New recording information is prepared on the basis of the revising data and the decoded recording information. An encoder encodes the new recording information, while a modulating circuit modulates the encoded recorded information. A frequency modulation circuit frequency modulates a video signal that is to be dubbed, while a synthesizing circuit multiplexes the modulated recording information and the video signal. The multiplexed signal is recorded on a recording medium, so that it is possible to revise recording information at the time of dubbing.

Abstract: A device for use in an apparatus for demodulating the signal reproduced from a recording medium in a still video camera or the like in which the phase of the demodulated signal is always accurately detected. Horizontal periods in which the respective line-sequential color difference signals B-Y and R-Y are present are discriminated, and a timer is operated during periods when the B-Y signal is present. Data is read from the reproduced modulated signal at predetermined points within a half cycle of the waveform of the signal as designated by outputs of the timer.

Abstract: A still video apparatus having a play back function of a picture signal and a sound signal recorded onto a recording medium, wherein a demodulated brightness signal and a color difference signal, a composite signal thereof, a demodulated sound signal and a sound output signal having an extended time base are selectively supplied to an external device by a single connector.

Abstract: A bearing is provided with a rolling element interposed between an outer ring and an inner ring thereof. The outer ring of the bearing is formed by integrating three elements, a metallic outer ring body having a path of rotation for the rolling elements, an insulating thin film made of a polymer elastic material having an electrical insulating property and covering a portion where the outer ring body is mounted to a housing, and a thin metallic plate provided on an outer surface of the insulating thin film.

Abstract: A magnetic recorder and regenerator has a luminate signal input terminal for receiving a luminance signal, a line-sequential signal input terminal for receiving a line sequential signal consisting of alternately line-sequenced color differential signals having a d.c. level difference, and a detecting circuit for detecting the d.c. level difference in the line-sequential signal which is provided from the regenerator system of one magnetic recorder and regenerator used for signal regeneration and which is to be transferred, before being rearranged into its component color differential signals, to the recorder system of another magnetic recorder and regenerator used for signal recording. A gain-controlled controlled amplifier is responsive to the output from the detecting circuit for adjusting the d.c. level difference in the line-sequential signal to a prescribed value, whereby it can suppress fluctuations in the line-sequantial signal level during a dubbing process, avoiding picture quality deterioration.