Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a wireless communication part having an image transmitting function, and an external apparatus (e.g. a personal computer) is also provided with a wireless communication part of the same type. When the camera comes close to the external apparatus which is associated with the camera, the external apparatus enables the camera to operate via a wireless communication. The camera transfers a newly taken image to the external apparatus via the wireless communication, and the contents of the transferred data is at that point encoded based on identification data of a correspondence to be communicated with. The received image can be viewed at the side of the external apparatus, and at the same time forwarding a page of viewed images, enlargement of display, deletion of an image, and so forth, can be remotely controlled by an operating part of a body of the camera.

Abstract: A connector adapted to detect a connective state is disposed in a monitor having a video input terminal and display. The detector detects the presence of an external video output connected to the video input terminal. When a video input it detected, a power controller enables the video display; however, if no connection is detected to the monitor input, power to the display is disabled. According to one embodiment the detector determines the connective state based on the presence of a video signal input from the video input terminal. In yet another embodiment the control signal terminal is provided for connection with a video camera. In addition, video operation switch and output for controlling the video camera are also provided. Finally, the monitor may include an infrared controller for sending control signals to control the operation of the video camera.

Abstract: A video camera connects a monitor with a camera body. A first multi-connector is connected to the camera body and includes a video output terminal for outputting a video signal to an external apparatus and a recognition output terminal for outputting a recognition signal in response to a ON/OFF state of the camera power. A second multi-connector is connected with the monitor, for connecting to the first multi-connector. The second multi-connector includes a video input terminal for inputting the video signal and a recognition input terminal for inputting the recognition signal from said camera body. A display is also provided for displaying an image based on the video signal inputted from the video input terminal of the second multi-connector and a power controller controls a monitor power to be ON/OFF based on the recognition signal inputted from the second terminal of the second multi-connector.

Abstract: Functions of a videocamera are extended by connecting accessories. A camera body recognizes which accessories are connected based on a recognition information designating sort of accessories inputted from an accessories recognition terminal of multi-connector when accessories are connected to the camera body through the multi-connector. The camera mode selects automatically an operation mode to suit with accessories connected among multiple operation modes including a camera mode and VTR mode. An operation of changing the operation mode by an operation switch on the side of the camera body will not be required.

Abstract: A white balance control device is provided for use in a video camera or a still video camera in which white balance control signals are controlled so that an object may be photographed without the occurrence of color failure. A user selects the light source to be employed. A microcomputer of the white balance control device detects a difference between integral averaged values for two color difference signals R-Y and B-Y and a reference value. The integral averaged values are to be equalized until this difference is within a predetermined value. The integral averaged values are also to be maintained within a variable region in accordance with the selected light source. Use of the variable region insures that deterioration of the reproduced color does not occur even when there is a difference between a selected light source and an actual color temperature.

Abstract: A white balance control device is provided for use in a video camera or a still video camera in which white balance control signals are controlled so that an object may be photographed without the occurrence of color failure. A microcomputer of the white balance control device detects a difference between integral averaged values for two color difference signals R-Y and B-Y and a reference value. Depending on the difference, values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont may be changed when the brightness of an object is changed by more than a predetermined amount. In an indoor mode, the values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont are positioned within a region corresponding to various artificial light sources. In an outdoor mode, the values of the white balance control signals are positioned within a region corresponding to natural light.

Abstract: A white balance control device is provided for use in a video camera or a still video camera, each having zoom capabilities, in which white balance control signals are controlled so that an object may be photographed without the occurrence of color failure. A recognition level or threshold is set as a function of zoom information. A microcomputer of the white balance control device detects a difference between integral averaged values for two color difference signals R-Y and B-Y and a reference value. Depending on the difference, values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont may be changed when the brightness of an object is changed by more than the recognition level. However, the values are positioned within a variable region and when the values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont become constant, the variable region is renewed.

Abstract: A white balance control device is provided for use in a video camera or a still video camera in which white balance control signals are controlled so that an object may be photographed without the occurrence of color failure. A microcomputer of the white balance control device detects a difference between integral averaged values for two color difference signals R-Y and B-Y and a reference value. Depending on the difference, values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont may be changed when the brightness of an object is changed by more than a predetermined amount. However, the values are positioned within a variable region and when the values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont become constant, the variable region is renewed.

Abstract: A white balance control device for a video camera is provided to reduce an occurrence percentage and the degree of color failure, improve the quality of reproduced color and prevent flicker from occurring so that a photograph may be taken properly. A first microcomputer detects a brightness of an object and a condition of a divided light measurement judged from an open degree of an iris. The first microcomputer outputs white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont for equalizing the values of color difference signals R-Y and B-Y to reference values. A white balance control circuit changes the amplification degrees of an elementary red signal R and an elementary blue signal B. When a brightness of an object becomes higher than the previous memorized value and a mode of a divided light measurement is changed, values of white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont are changed. At the other times, the values of the white balance control signals Rcont and Bcont are fixed.

Abstract: A multiple-CPU system including a main CPU and at least one subordinate CPU connected thereto. Both the main and subordinate CPU are provided with a respective voltage detector circuit for detecting when a main or primary power supply voltage for the CPU's has dropped below a predetermined threshold level. When the respective detector circuit outputs a signal indicating detection of the drop in main power supply voltage, the respective CPU is placed in a standby state. However, the threshold level of the detector circuit of the main CPU is set to a voltage lower than the threshold level of the detector circuit of the subordinate CPU. As a result, the subordinate CPU is placed in a standby state before the main CPU. The main CPU is equipped with an auxiliary power supply so that when the subordinate CPU is placed in a standby state, automatic recovery is thereafter carried out by the main CPU.

Abstract: A magnetic head advancing apparatus which advances a magnetic head to be brought into contact with a magnetic recording medium (head loading) in response to a latch-type solenoid when a power supply switch is closed. The magnetic head is separated from the magnetic recording medium (head unloading) in response to a latch-type solenoid when the power supply switch is opened, when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined level, or when the power supply (a battery) is ejected from the apparatus. This makes it possible to prevent local permanent deformation of a magnetic disk caused by prolonged abutting contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A recording/playback apparatus is provided with a plurality of controllers (inclusive of CPU's) which, by communicating with one another, share control of each of the components of the recording/playback apparatus or of the entire apparatus. Communication among the controllers is performed in the second half of one period of a signal related to the rotational reference phase of a rotating recording medium. This makes it possible for control requiring high precision to be performed in the first half of the aforementional period without being affected by high-priority interrupts which accompany communication control. Further, in order that the aforementioned communication may be carried out in the second half of the above mentioned period, message editing is performed in the first half of the same period. This enables prompt communication processing during the short time in the second half of the period without an unnecessary waste of time.

Abstract: A search range for detecting the peak position of an envelope on a rotating magnetic recording medium is limited to a predetermined range on either side of an absolute track position of each track on the recording medium. A limitation is also placed upon the number of times a magnetic head is fed within this predetermined range. If a peak cannot be decided even when the magnetic head is fed the limited number of times, the final position of the magnetic head is adopted compulsorily as the peak position. As a result it is possible to reduce the time needed for peak position detection processing. When an envelope cannot be detected with the predetermined range, the absolute track position is adopted as the peak position.

Abstract: The gain of an envelope detector circuit for detecting the envelope of a signal read from a magnetic head is capable of being changed over between two, namely high and low, stages. The gain of the envelope detector circuit is raised when track search processing is performed. When peak position detection processing is executed for detecting the peak position of the envelope of a recorded signal with regard to a designated track, first the gain of the envelope detector circuit is raised. The gain is lowered when the envelope saturates. This makes it comparatively easy to perform envelope detection, shortens the time required and makes it possible to use even a relatively low-precision A/D converter in the envelope detector circuit.

Abstract: In a system including a still video camera and a playback device capable of being connected thereto, the playback device stored track information (such as data representing the field/frame recording and the envelope peak position) detected in a playback operation in a memory thereof corresponding to a track number. When the power of the playback device or the like is turned off, the track information is transferred from the playback device to the camera side and is stored in a memory of the camera side. When the playback device achieves thereafter a playback operation, the track information is again transferred to the playback device so as to be used for the playback operation. The track information can also be used in an erase operation on the camera side or in the playback device. In addition, track information used in a recording operation of the camera is stored in a memory thereof corresponding to a track member.

Abstract: Positioning of a magnetic head for recording a signal on a magnetic recording medium is performed in accordance with an absolute track address system. However, due to mechanical errors, expansion or contraction of the magnetic recording medium caused by changes in temperature or humidity, or small variations between recording apparatuses, a deviation can occur between a position recorded on in the past and a absolute track position thereof. Accordingly, with regard to at least one track that has already been recorded on, the amount of deviation between the peak position of the envelope of a signal on this track and an absolute track position is measured. Then, based upon the measured amount of deviation, the position at which the magnetic head is stopped on the track to be recorded on next is corrected.

Abstract: A camera having an ordinary automatic exposure function which automatically decides a proper shutter speed and f-stop based on the results of photometry is additionally provided with a slow-photography mode. When the camera is set to the slow-photography mode, a predetermined shutter speed and f-stop outside a range of shutter speeds and f-stops capable of being set by ordinary automatic exposure control is set. This makes it possible to photograph night scenes, fireworks displays and the like. Photography is possible even in a light-value region in which the camera shutter would be locked against release in ordinary automatic exposure control owing to too little light.

Abstract: In an electronic still-video camera capable of frame recording using a shutter, read-out is controlled in such a manner that dark currents generated in an imaging device will be equal in both first and second fields. Thereby, the recording of a still-video signal that will provide an excellent and easy-to-view reproduced image that is free of flicker is made possible.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing device which has a track search function to discriminate a recorded track from an unrecorded track for all tracks formed in a magnetic disc. In the magnetic recording/reproducing device, in accordance with signals output from a magnetic head when the magnetic head is moved to positions lying at least adjacent to the central position of a track accessed, with a predetermined position on the magnetic disc designated as a reference position, it is determined whether each accessed track is a recorded track or an unrecorded track. Data representing the check results are stored in memory corresponding to the track numbers respectively given to the tracks. This assures an accurate track search.

Abstract: A white balance adjusting device for use in a camera which photographs a field and forms a video signal representing the field. In the white balance adjusting device, while a sequential photographing is under way, updating of the color temperature data to be used for adjusting a white balance is prohibited. Therefore, the hues of main objects in the respective frames of still images photographed by the sequential photographic operation remain unchanged, thereby maintaining the homogeneity of the main objects. Also, in the white balance adjusting device, control a device is used to provide a short response time for a quick response property in a still mode and to provide a longer response time in a movie mode when compared with the still mode. As a result, the white balance can be adjusted according to the photographic modes of the camera.