Abstract: The resolution, frame rate, or both can be improved when imaging moving subjects in an imaging apparatus using a CMOS image sensor. The imaging apparatus has an image sensor having a two-dimensional array of pixels. Each of the pixels includes an element operable to produce an electric charge by photoelectrically converting light from an imaged subject and a part operable to accumulate the produced charge and output an accumulated charge or a signal representing the accumulated charge. The imaging apparatus also has an area control unit operable to define a specified area of the image sensor containing a plurality of pixels and an area density control unit operable to specify a density of pixels read from the specified area defined by the area control unit.

Abstract: A MOS image sensor and an imaging apparatus using this image sensor enable controlling sensor driving with a high degree of freedom using a simple control circuit design and minimal wiring lines. The light reception unit of the image sensor in this imaging apparatus is segmented into a plurality of areas and conventional shift registers are constructed in multiple layers, thus enabling controlling the multiple sensor areas by means of a relatively simple circuit design. The imaging apparatus can thus locally change exposure and imaging conditions in parts of a single frame. Problems due to underexposure and overexposure are thus suppressed, and images with a wide dynamic range can be captured.

Abstract: When a method or apparatus of assuring simultaneous exposure, such as a mechanical shutter, is not provided with a MOS imaging sensor, moving subjects are distorted with a MOS image sensor when capturing a still image of a fast-moving subject because imaging and reading are not simultaneous across the MOS sensor. Changing the MOS sensor exposure sequence and reading sequence, and interpolating the read data, change and correct the read sequence line by line when imaging a high resolution moving image, and thus improve distortion in moving subjects.

Abstract: An data recording apparatus in accordance with the present invention is configured so as to determine whether a received data block is of the same data to a previously received data block or not on the basis of the data block particular information in the data block transmitted from the outside and stored in a buffer thereby determining the recording-or-not into a disk drive, or so as to determine whether it is to be recorded into the disk drive or not on the basis of the information transmitted from the outside.

Abstract: A video and audio data converter capable of insert-edit-processing another video data and audio data in real time while reproducing produced video and audio data and a disk apparatus using the video and audio data converter are configured so that a plurality of video and audio data input and output from a plurality of external apparatuses to video and audio input/output sections are input and output while the video and audio data input and output to one video and audio input/output section is replaced with the video and audio data input and output to another video and audio input/output section in a video and audio data conversion section.

Abstract: The disk apparatus and the audiovisual data processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention are apparatuses having a stream data processing function and virtually provided with each command processing function for digital VCRs so as to be capable of meeting various processing requests from external apparatuses; and they are configured so that the audiovisual frame boundaries of audiovisual data are detected, so that audiovisual data received externally and continuously is divided in audiovisual frame units in accordance with the detected audiovisual frame boundaries, and so that the data divided in audiovisual frame units is controlled so as to be stored on a disk medium.

Abstract: In a disk control apparatus according to the present invention, after overwriting processing or block erasure processing is performed, index information on the fragmented recorded area is newly generated for managing the recording area, and recording start and end information is written to the video and audio data recorded on a disk apparatus, and edit processing can be easily performed by the disk control apparatus even after video and audio data recorded on the disk apparatus is overwritten with externally input video and audio data and after a part of the video and audio data is erased.

Abstract: An I/O control apparatus comprises a temporary memory circuit divisible into a plurality of segments according to the type of an I/O request for temporarily storing data to and from an external system, and a notification means for notifying the external system of the amount of the data that can be transferred continuously between the external system and the temporary memory circuit in response to a data transfer amount request from the external system.

Abstract: A storage apparatus has input means for inputting an input/output execution time prediction request from an external system and determining means for predicting the execution time of the input/output request in response to the input/output execution time prediction request. The storage apparatus predicts the execution time of the input/output request and provides a response to the external system in response to the input/output execution time prediction request input from the external system.

Abstract: A data recording device, using a disc, wherein it is easy to handle respective audio signals independently and which receives digital data got by multiplexing plural audio signals is provided.

Abstract: An data recording apparatus in accordance with the present invention is configured so as to determine whether a received data block is of the same data to a previously received data block or not on the basis of the data block particular information in the data block transmitted from the outside and stored in a buffer thereby determining the recording-or-not into a disk drive, or so as to determine whether it is to be recorded into the disk drive or not on the basis of the information transmitted from the outside.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic disk apparatus which is provided with means for dividing a large amount of data such as video data into segments with error correction code added thereto and further dividing the data including the error correction code into recording segments, while being capable of efficiently correcting errors even for a sector size of large unit and processing sectors of variable length.