Abstract: A progressive scanned signal processing apparatus for inputting progressive scanned image signals and processing them as 420P signals comprises a signal processing means and a storing means in order to prevent the qualities of images of color difference signals from being lowered. A delay time required for carrying out a whole signal processing is expressed by 2×N×F (herein, N>0, N is an integer and F is time necessary for a period of one frame). Accordingly, the delay time necessary for the signal processing is expressed by the frames of even number, so that a main signal can be prevented from being replaced by a sub-signal.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus which receives a digital video signal having arrangement of pixels frame by frame as an input, performs compressively coding to the digital video signal, and reproduces compressively coded data, comprises blocking unit for performing block dividing process by dividing the video signal of one frame into first blocks having a first format and second blocks having a second format which is different from the first format, performing block changing process by changing the format of the second blocks to the first format, and producing a converted video signal composed of plural blocks having the first format; and compressive coding unit for performing compressive coding including discrete cosine transform process to the converted video signal produced by the blocking unit.

Abstract: A coding apparatus for image compression which includes a transformer that transforms image data into a plurality of transform coefficients arranged in a matrix; a quantizer that quantizes each of the transform coefficients into a coefficient data of a predetermined number of bits; a data divider that divides the coefficient data into a fixed-length data part and a variable-length data part and a variable-length encoder that encodes the variable-length data part into a variable-length code.

Abstract: A rate control for a VCR or the like records digitized image data by compression coding technologies so that the code amount of the compression coded data becomes a predetermined code amount or less. Even in the case where an interleave is performed among a plurality of blocks, the prediction error of the code amount after the interleave can be reduced and the rate control can be precisely performed by quantizing so that the same quantization table is assigned to each of the interleaved blocks in pre-scanning in the pre-stage of an interleave memory.

Abstract: Coefficient data in two coding blocks which overlap on a video screen are recorded in distant regions on a recording medium, the distant regions not being directly adjacent to one another. Error detected coefficient data during reproduction are corrected with reference to the feature that the overlapped pixels between the two coding blocks are equal.

Abstract: An image coding and recording/reproducing apparatus for encoding video signals using variable-length coding and for recording the video signals in units of fixed-length sync blocks includes: an orthogonal transform unit for performing an orthogonal transform on each transformation block including a plurality of pixels and for obtaining orthogonal transform coefficients for each transformation block; a coding processor for generating encoded data for each encoding group including a plurality of the transformation blocks, the encoded data being obtained by variable-length encoding the orthogonal transform coefficients of each transformation block and by arranging the resultant encoded transform coefficients in the order of increasing component frequency starting with a low frequency component; a storing processor for dividing a plurality of the sync blocks into low frequency sync blocks and high frequency sync blocks, each of the low frequency sync blocks being assigned with one of the encoding groups, a first

Abstract: The picture reproduction apparatus of this invention reproduces compressed image data which has been compressed using inter-frame encoding, extracts a header from the reproduced image data, taking out intra-frame encoded image data using the information of the header. Invalid data is added to the image data other than the intra-frame encoded data. The image data is output into a picture decoding apparatus, so as to obtain a reproduced video image during playback in fast forward and fast reverse. Alternatively, valid image data is detected from the reproduced image data.

Abstract: The picture reproduction apparatus of this invention reproduces compressed image data which has been compressed using inter-frame encoding, extracts a header from the reproduced image data, taking out intra-frame encoded image data using the information of the header. Invalid data is added to the image data other than the intra-frame encoded data. The image data is output into a picture decoding apparatus, so as to obtain a reproduced video image during playback in fast forward and fast reverse. Alternatively, valid image data is detected from the reproduced image data. In the slow playback at a 1/N speed, M (<N) frames of valid image data and (N-1)*M frames of invalid image data are output in order to obtain a slow image output.

Abstract: An image compression-coding device includes a level conversion circuit for adaptively reducing the amplitude of the quantification coefficient data based on statistical characteristics of the quantification coefficient data. The device further includes a selection circuit for selectively outputting either the quantification coefficient data after the level conversion or the quantification coefficient data before the level conversion, so that the image compression-coding device outputs a smaller amount of variable-length codes.

Abstract: The picture reproduction apparatus of this invention reproduces compressed image data which has been compressed using inter-frame encoding, extracts a header from the reproduced image data, taking out intra-frame encoded image data using the information of the header. Invalid data is added to the image data other than the intra-frame encoded data. The image data is output into a picture decoding apparatus, so as to obtain a reproduced video image during playback in fast forward and fast reverse. Alternatively, valid image data is detected from the reproduced image data. In the slow playback at a 1/N speed, M (<N) frames of valid image data and (N-1)*M frames of invalid image data are output in order to obtain a slow image output.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus is capable of editing video signals and audio signals recording additional information data for controlling the reproduction output level. The recording side includes an additional information data generating circuit, a time division multiplexing circuit for time-division multiplexing a video signal data and audio signal data and the additional information data, and a recording head. In independent areas on a recording medium, the video signal data, audio signal data and additional information data are individually recorded. The reproduction side includes a reproduction head, a data separation circuit for separating the video, audio and additional information, an additional information data detecting circuit for producing output level data, and a circuit for controlling the levels of the reproduced video and audio signals depending on the output level data.

Abstract: In a video signal recording/reproducing apparatus, a video signal is subjected to bit rate reduction including a variable length processing to obtain a coded data. The coded data is separated into basic data which shows a basic construction of a video image and has a fixed data length and additional data which shows detailed information of the video image and has a variable data length. In recording the coded data containing basic data and additional data on a recording medium, the basic data is recorded in one region on the recording medium and the additional data is recorded continuously in a region other than the basic data recording region, by which both data are recorded in separated regions on the recording medium.

Abstract: A video and audio signal recording apparatus for recording video and audio signals on parallel tracks formed on a recording medium, includes: a divider for dividing a video signal into video signal blocks each contained in a unit period which is N times (N=1, 2, . . .) as long as one field period of the video signal; another divider for dividing an audio signal into audio signal blocks each contained in a specific period which is synchronized with the unit period; and a recorder for recording signal contained in each of said video signal and audio signal blocks in each of fully independent areas on the recording medium such that any two of the fully independent areas adjacent to each other in a track width direction are separated from each other by an unrecorded area composed of L unrecorded consecutive tracks (L=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: In a video signal recording/reproducing apparatus, a video signal is subjected to bit rate reduction including a variable length processing to obtain a coded data. The coded data is separated into basic data which shows a basic construction of video image and has a fixed data length and additional data which shows detailed information of the video image and has a variable data length. In recording the coded data containing basic data and additional data on a recording medium, the basic data is recorded in one region on the recording medium and the additional data is recorded continuously in a region other than the basic data recording region, by which both data are recorded in separated regions on the recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing a video digital signal suitable to a narrowed track pitch having two magnetic heads with the same azimuth angle arranged with an overlapped area to reproduce the same track, and a tracking servo executing phase control such that a center of a reproducing track is brought to a center of the overlapped area of the two magnetic heads. Reproduced signals of the two magnetic heads are compared so that the reproduced output of the magnetic head having a good on-track condition is always selected to improve a tracking margin without increasing crosstalk disturbance from adjacent track.

Abstract: Digital video signals are divided in blocks, maximum and minimum values of each block are extracted, and a frequency distribution of one frame period of a dynamic range in each block is detected. The coding condition is determined by the frequency distribution and a predetermined N kinds of characteristic tables, and by determining only one characteristic table, the signal obtained by subtracting the minimum value of each block from the digital video signals of each block is coded in variable length according to the dynamic range of each block. The characteristic table shows the relationship of the distortion or the number of quantization bits between the original signal and decoded signal after coding and decoding with respect to the dynamic range of digital video signal in each block, and the picture quality of decoded image is set as a parameter.

Abstract: A video and audio signal recorder for recording signals on tracks records signals of each editorial unit (e.g.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus comprises a reference inserting circuit for inserting a reference waveform, preferably a ramp, at periodic intervals into an analog information signal. The reference waveform varies in the range of amplitude variations of the information signal. A reference detector circuit detects the inserted reference waveform from the signal as the latter is reproduced from a recording medium or received through a transmissions medium. The detected reference waveform and the information signal are alternately applied to a correction circuit having a which stores a signal describing the relationship between the original reference waveform and the detected reference waveform which has been affected by errors present in the apparatus. The correction circuit is periodically operative in response to detection of error-affected reference waveform and transforms the waveform of the information signal according to the stored signal.

Abstract: A video signal recording method and apparatus for-recording each field of a video signal as a plurality of segments on respective tracks of a magnetic tape, in which each segment consists of a sequentially-ordered set of scanning lines which constitute a fraction of the total scanning lines of the field and which extend substantially over the entire field, for example all of the even-numbered or all of the odd-numbered lines of the field. Since each recording track contains scanning lines extending sequentially over one field, a playback signal providing a correctly ordered display image is obtained for playback operation at speeds higher or lower than the standard speed, while utilizing the same recording and playback signal processing circuits as are utilized during standard speed operation.

Abstract: A video signal recording and playback apparatus for recording each field of a video signal as a plurality of segments on a plurality of tracks, including a circuit for inserting segment index signals after conversion of the video signal to a recording signal, to be recorded together with the recording signal to designate the respective segments. During varied-speed playback operation, the segment index signals are detected in the playback signal, and the data thus obtained are used to control the operation of a memory which temporarily stores successively produced portions of the playback signal. A playback signal can thereby be obtained by combining output signals from the memory, which will produce a satisfactory display image during varied-speed playback operation, e.g. during high-speed playback, with only simple signal processing being required.