Abstract: To mix video signals of plural channels in time division and record these video signals onto a recording medium, as well as to select and transmit the video signal of a specific channel to a terminal device at a remote location, there is a video signal switching unit for mixing the video signals of the plural channels in time division; a first video signal compressing unit for compressing the mixed video signals from the video signal switching unit; a unit for recording the video signal compressed by the first video signal compressing unit into the recording medium; second video signal compressing units for selecting a channel from the mixed video signals and compressing the video signals with a compressibility higher than that of the first video signal compressing unit; and a unit for transmitting the video signal compressed by the second video signal compressing unit to a remote location.

Abstract: This invention provides a security system that includes: a surveillance camera unit including a video camera and a paint bullet firing apparatus for firing a paint bullet from a firing port arranged along the direction of the axis of the line of sight of the video camera; a user interface for displaying an image from the video camera and accepting a predetermined input from an operator; and a controller for remote-controlling the surveillance camera unit. The controller extracts a predetermined photographic subject from an image sent from the video camera; sets the predetermined photographic subject as a target according to an instruction from the user interface; and controls the direction of the surveillance camera unit to position the predetermined photographic subject in the vicinity of the center of the image. The controller then issues a command to fire the paint bullet according to a second input from the user interface.

Abstract: A picture-data compression system for compressing inputted multiple picture data includes a storage device that stores the multiple picture data; a selection controller that writes the multiple picture data into the storage device and reads the multiple picture data from the storage device; a pixel-number converter that converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device; and an inter-picture predictive coding unit that codes the picture data whose number of pixels is converted by the pixel-number converter by inter-picture predictive coding. The selection controller reads the picture data written to the storage device at a period of 1/n (positive integer) times the frame period or field period of the picture data. The pixel-number converter converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device to 1/m times (positive integer) the original.

Abstract: A picture-data compression system for compressing inputted multiple picture data includes a storage device that stores the multiple picture data; a selection controller that writes the multiple picture data into the storage device and reads the multiple picture data from the storage device; a pixel-number converter that converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device; and an inter-picture predictive coding unit that codes the picture data whose number of pixels is converted by the pixel-number converter by inter-picture predictive coding. The selection controller reads the picture data written to the storage device at a period of 1/n (positive integer) times the frame period or field period of the picture data. The pixel-number converter converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device to 1/m times (positive integer) the original.

Abstract: To selectively display image signals of plural channels and detect motion of the channels for efficient display.

Abstract: A subject of the invention is to mix video signals of plural channels in time division and record these video signals to a recording medium, and select and transmit the video signal of a specific channel to a terminal device of a remote place. Therefore, the invention has a video signal switching unit for mixing the video signals of the plural channels in time division; a first video signal compressing unit for compressing the mixed video signals from the video signal switching unit; a unit for recording the video signal compressed by the first video signal compressing unit to the recording medium; second video signal compressing units for selecting a channel from the mixed video signals and compressing the video signals in a compressibility higher than that of the first video signal compressing unit; and a unit for transmitting the video signal compressed by the second video signal compressing unit.

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: An apparatus for displaying a plurality of compressed images is disclosed, in which a high quality freeze display is made possible with a high vertical resolution and a multiplicity of compressed images can be displayed at the same time on the display screen without increasing the circuit scale extremely. Different video signals are processed for image compression in a plurality of processing circuits, and a synthesized image is supplied to a display unit for displaying four compressed images on the display screen at the same time. In the case of an image sequence display, the image size is compressed into one half in horizontal and vertical directions respectively by the processing circuits, and the odd and even fields are separately written in field memories. Also, in the case of freeze display, all the lines are written alternately in the field memories without compressing them vertically by a filter circuit.

Abstract: A VTR capable of recording information signals, such as a time code, and more particularly providing a configuration for after-recording the information signals for controlling the operation of the VTR, which comprises an operation panel; a mode determination block for determining a mode to be next switched; an information signal processing block for recording and reproducing the information signals; and a recording period setting circuit for determining a recording period of the information signals. A mode signal inputted through the operation panel is recorded on a predetermined position on a magnetic tape. When such a magnetic tape is reproduced, the VTR is forcibly set in a mode determined by the mode signal at the time of detecting the mode signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for superimposing a video signal stored in a memory into a video signal which was photographed. A plurality of video signals to be superimposed are stored in the memory. Predetermined control codes are stored in the memory between the video signals or every 2.sup.n addresses in the memory. By reading out the control codes, the head or end of each video signal is detected and the video signal is selected.

Abstract: A video signal processor suitable for use with a VTR, the processor being provided with a circuit for eliminating inserted information signals other than a time code at a stage prior to the addition of a time code signal to the vertical blanking period of a video signal, providing accurate time code reading in a VTR equipped with a circuit for recording or reproducing the time code signal.