Abstract: A compact apparatus is provided for writing and/or reading information on a disk. Compactness is achieved by mounting various disk drive components on first and second housing sections which are arranged in telescoping relation for movement between a compact operative position for write and/or read operations and an extended position wherein facing drive components are retracted or spaced further apart to facilitate disk insertion and withdrawal operations.

Abstract: A video recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a line sensor camera having a line scan image sensor which is scanned along a predetermined standard line and receives an image of a moving object passing the standard line. An output video signal of the line sensor camera is converted by an A/D converter into a series of picture element data which are successively stored into a video memory to form therein a plurality of pictures. A control circuit selects in accordance with selection information supplied from a control box a desired one of the plurality of stored pictures, and reads the picture element data of the desired picture from the video memory. The picture element data thus read from the video memory are successively converted into analog video signals which are supplied through a mixing circuit to a display unit to thereby display the picture on the display unit.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus uses a crosstalk component reproduced from an adjacent pre-recorded track to control the position of a track which is newly formed when successively forming closed loop tracks on a rotary recording medium, and records a video signal amounting to one field on each track so that out of two mutually adjacent tracks making up a track pair, a signal related to an odd (or even) field out of signals which are related to two consecutive fields and constitute a picture is recorded on one track of the track pair and a signal related to an even (or odd) field out of signals which are related to two consecutive fields and constitute a picture is recorded on the other track of the track pair, so that signals amounting to one frame are recorded on the track pair.

Abstract: A hand-held video recording camera includes a lens and an image pickup operatively arranged to receive image information from the lens for converting the image information into an electric image data output signal. A microphonic arrangement in or on the camera is operatively arranged to receive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens for producing audio signals corresponding to the sound received. Means are provided within the camera for recording signals representing the image data and audio signals. A source of further audio signals is provided within the hand-held camera. Audio signal mixing means within the hand-held camera mix the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by the microphone arrangement and to the further audio signals from the internal source. The audio mixing means has its output coupled to the recording means so that signals representing the audio signals can be recorded, as well as signals representing image data.

Abstract: The camera according to the present invention includes a reference optical system and a telescopic optical system. After photographing the subject using the reference optical system, a close-up of the subject is photographed using the telescopic optical system. As a consequence, when the subject is reproduced on a television screen, a sharp image can be obtained.

Abstract: A video transfer stand generates a video signal from a front-illuminated image on a semi-transparent or translucent original, especially a photographic print. The video system, including the transfer stand and a video display connected to the stand, produces output video contrast as a function of the transfer characteristic (gamma) of the video system as it interacts with the contrast exhibited by the reflection density of the print. This interaction produces high contrast that blocks out details especially in shadow areas of the video display. Such undesirably high contrast is moderated--releasing shadow detail--by variably backlighting the print in the transfer stand. The rear illumination, which is adjusted in view of the display, produces inherently lower contrast than the reflected illumination and, in combination therewith, optimizes the video display contrast.

Abstract: A camera wherein a subject to be taken is pure-electronically still-photographed and recorded, and an image is reproduced by a television system and a printer. Resolution of the camera of this type is lower than that of the ordinary cameras. Accordingly, during the portrait photographing, it is necessary that the ratio of the face occupying in the taking background is made to be beyond a predetermined value. Then, when the taking distance is beyond a predetermined value, a warning is issued to call a photographer's attention to a close-in taking or automatically zoom-up.

Abstract: The picture image recording device disclosed uses a recording medium which permits setting a plurality of recording tracks apart from each other for recording separate picture image signals on each of them. In the improvement made by this invention, the operating mode of the device is shiftable at least between two modes including a first mode in which an image recording operation is performed only on one recording track and a second mode in which an image recording operation is performed continuously or sequentially on a plurality of recording tracks.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for encoding and recording electronic image information signals in a manner whereby luminance signals for odd field lines are recorded in association respectively with chrominance signals alternately selected from both the even field lines and the odd field lines and luminance signals for even field lines are recorded in association respectively with the remaining chrominance signals alternately selected from both the even field lines and the odd field lines. Chrominance samples recorded in this manner are spaced only two field lines apart thereby allowing the chrominance signals to be interpolated by a playback device specially configured to provide for increased vertical chromianance resolution.

Abstract: A visual display device in a video instrument capable of alternatively setting the frame mode and the field mode comprises display means having a display area, means for driving the display means by a first display mode in which a plurality of patterns are displayed while being distributed at a predetermined density in the display area and a second display mode in which a plurality of patterns are displayed while being distributed at a density lower than the predetermined density in the display area, and means for selecting the first display mode when the frame mode is set, and selecting the second display mode when the field mode is set.

Abstract: An automatic focusing system includes a photo-sensitive element for receiving light passing a main lens system of a camera. The photo-sensitive element produces a distance indicative signal based on the received light. The main lens system is driven to a position to focus upon an object on the basis of the distance indicative signal from the photo-sensitive element. The system is also provided with an auxiliary light generating element for emitting an auxiliary light to the object. The auxiliary light generating element is activated while distance measurement is performed for focusing operation in order to enable the automatic focusing system to perform a distance measurement and focus upon the object even in dark environmental conditions or upon dark objects. The auxiliary light generating element may be selected to emit an infrared light beam or a far infrared light beam.

Abstract: A hand-held video recording camera includes a lens and an image pickup operatively arranged to receive image information from the lens for converting the image information into an electric image data output signal. A microphonic arrangement in or on the camera is operatively arranged to receive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens for producing audio signals corresponding to the sound received. Means are provided within the camera for recording signals representing the image data and audio signals. A source of further audio signals is provided within the hand-held camera. Audio signal mixing means within the hand-held camera mix the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by the microphone arrangement and to the further audio signals from the internal source. The audio mixing means has its output coupled to the recording means so that signals representing the audio signals can be recorded, as well as signals representing image data.

Abstract: An image pick-up device which uses a charge transfer type solid state image pick-up device, and further is provided with a shutter so as to form a high quality picture signal in such a manner that smear is prevented by prohibiting the incidence of light on the device while the charge is being transferred in the device. Further, the device is driven by a clock signal for still photographing in order to obtain a high quality picture information for one frame. Further, the photographing parameter is automatically changed over or the monitor is changed over between the motion picture photographing mode and the still photographing mode.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus using an image sensor is provided with a rotary shutter that controls the amount of time the image-forming light strikes the image sensor. A synchronism detector is provided to detect the phase difference between the rotation of the rotary shutter and the scanning of the image sensor by comparing the phase signals produced according to the speed of rotation of the rotary shutter and vertical synchronizing signals periodically produced as well as scanning signals for scanning the image sensor. When there is no phase difference between the two signals, the synchronism detector provides an operation signal which causes a switching circuit to be conductive, so as to permit an image recorder to record images. On the other hand, if there is a phase difference, the synchronism detector provides no operation signal and the switching circuit is rendered non-conductive so as to prevent the image recorder from recording images.

Abstract: In a skip-field video recorder, the audio signal of every field is continuously recorded. The audio signal of each skipped video field is stored in an audio field store memory and then unloaded during the recording of the next (unskipped) video field. The unloaded audio signal is multiplexed with the current incoming audio signal and recorded therewith. Alternatively, the audio signals of both the skipped field and the unskipped field may be compressed and recorded in an extended portion of each video tape track.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a voltage converting device for supplying power for driving a peripheral equipment component such as a flash unit used with the image sensing device, a recording device for recording an audio signal and a control device for prohibiting simultaneous operation of the voltage converting device and the recording device. The control device has a control mode in which both the peripheral equipment and the recording device are used at the time of photography. The control device also has a control mode in which the peripheral equipment is operated in preference to the recording devide. Accordingly, the mixture of noise from the voltage converting device with the audio recording signal is prevented.

Abstract: A video circuit for use with an electronic still camera retrieves a fully-interlaced frame signal during a single field interval from a full-frame imager and provides . . . during the same interval . . . a pair of de-interlaced field signals for recording upon paired tracks on a magnetic disk. By switching the inputs and outputs of a set of clock-driven line delay elements according to variations of the line rate, the frame signal is converted into simultaneously accessible field signals, at the same time accounting for a time base discrepancy that arises due to readout from the imager at double the line rate.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera, an electric signal generated by photoelectric conversion of an optical image of an object is recorded on a recording medium. In consideration of a response time for steadily applying power supply to a recording circuit, power is supplied to the recording circuit only between initiation of a shutter releasing operation and completion of a recording operation, to thereby lengthen battery life when a battery is employed as the power source in the camera.

Abstract: A detachable unit electronic camera includes three detachable units, namely, a photographing unit, a record/playback unit and a picture monitor unit. The photographing unit has the function to convert an output signal from a camera into a luminance signal and color difference signals. The record/playback unit has the function of magnetically recording an output signal from the photographing unit on a magnetic disc and also the function of reading a signal which is previously recorded on the magnetic disc. The picture monitor unit has the function of displaying a picture in response to an output signal from the photographing unit or a signal which is reproduced from the record/playback unit.

Abstract: A solid-state still camera includes a detector for detecting how much track space is already occupied and producing a detector signal for every occupied track. A counter counts the detector signals and produces a counter signal representative of the number of occupied tracks. The solid-state still camera is also provided with a manually operable mode selector for selecting video recording mode from among a plurality of different modes, such as frame mode and field mode. An arithmetic circuit is associated with the counter to receive the counter signals therefrom. The arithmetic circuit is also connected to the mode selector to receive a selected mode indicative signal. The arithmetic circuit derives the number of pictures that can be taken based on the counter signal value and the selected mode indicative signal. The value derived by the arithmetic circuit is displayed on a visual display. Preferably, the solid-state still camera also includes an audio recording feature.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera, a solid-state imaging element and a photosensitive film which receive an object image and arranged on the optical path of an optical lens system. The object image is simultaneously formed on the solid-state imaging element and the photosensitive film upon depression of a shutter switch.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus is provided with an image sensor having picture elements; an electronic monitor having a number of scanning lines fewer than the vertical picture elements of the image sensor; and a driving circuit for reading from the image sensor a fewer scanning lines when the apparatus is in a monitor mode than when the apparatus is in an image sensing mode. The driving circuit reads the image sensor in a non-interlacing manner in the monitor mode. A switching circuit shuts off power to unused circuits when the apparatus is in various operating modes.

Abstract: A multi-mode electronic camera capable of operating in any of a video camera mode, a one-shot video camera mode, and a still camera mode, and in which the image of the object being photographed can be checked at any time with the use of a color video monitor and recorded on a video tape. The luminance/color-difference signal output of an image pickup signal processing circuit is applied to an encoder circuit which converts it to the form of a compound video signal. The latter is applied to the inputs of the color video monitor and a video tape recorder.

Abstract: A full frame solid state imager is disclosed having an input register utilized to effect field recirculation whereby the imager itself is utilized as a storage device to store the second field of the frame until the readout of the first field has been effected. The signal produced from the imager is a field sequential signal.

Abstract: A video tape recorder (VTR) including a detection switch for detecting presence and absence of an erasure prevention tab of a video tape cassette, a light emitting element, a control device associated operatively with the light emitting element, and an electronic viewfinder. When a first video tape cassette provided with the erasure prevention tab as been loaded into the VTR, the control device sets the VTR to a recording standby state and turns on the light emitting element. Meanwhile, when a second video tape cassette which is not provided with the erasure prevention tab has been loaded into the VTR, the control device sets the VTR to a stop state, flashes the light emitting element and causes the electronic viewfinder to display on a screen of the electronic viewfinder a warning indicative of loading of the second video tape cassette into the VTR.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprising an objective including a front lens unit for forming an image of an object and a rear lens unit, a beam splitter arranged between the front and rear lens units for splitting an optical path, a viewfinder including a roof type prism and an eyepiece and arranged on the optical path split by the beam splitter so as to observe the object image by the front lens unit, and an image receiver on which an object image of different magnification is formed by the objective.

Abstract: A sound recording system for an electronic still camera records video signals indicative of still pictures time-serially in a rotary magnetic recording medium. An audio signal having a duration equal to a first period of time is compressed in the time axis into an audio signal having a duration equal to a second period of time, which is shorter than the first. The compressed audio signal is written into the recording medium as a unit record of data. Such a time-axis compression and recording cycle is repeated to record audio signals in the recording medium as discrete unit record data, in association with the video signals recorded.

Abstract: A servo lock or sync detecting apparatus is provided for an electronic still camera system. When the images captured and recorded with such a still camera system are reproduced in a separate television system, for example, stable disk rotation is essential for achieving a stable image reproduction. To this end, a servo lock detecting apparatus is provided in which timing signals are generated as a function of the rotational speed of the magnetic disk, and a driving device for driving the disk is controlled by a control unit. The control circuit counts the periods of the timing signals using reference clock signals to produce servo lock signals when the timing signal periods are within a preset range for a preset number of times. The servo lock signals indicate that the servo lock or sync is established in the driving device.

Abstract: An electronic camera in which images are electrically recorded on a magnetic disk that can be removed from a receptacle that can be opened. The receptacle is prevented from opening when a picture is being taken and recorded, thus prevention incomplete recording. Such prevention can be accomplished by coupling the receptacle release to a lens cover or to a power switch powering the recording.

Abstract: A camera-combined magnetic recording-reproducing system of which the magnetic recording-reproducing unit and the camera unit are used either in combination or independently, in which mechanical and electrical connection parts are connected or disconnected by shifting a moving member and locked by engaging projections, thereby providing simple manipulation for mechanical positioning and locking and electrical connection of both units, the projections being withdrawn when the camera unit and the magnetic recording-reproducing unit are separately used.

Abstract: An electronic still/motion picture photography system includes an optical-electronic transducer for producing electrical signals responsive to an optical image, a light information control member such as a diaphragm for controlling the state of the light information incident on the transducer, a discriminating circuit for determining the state of the light information as it is controlled by the light information control member, a drive source responsive to the output of the discriminating circuit for driving the light information control member, a recorder for recording the output of the transducer, an indicating switch for indicating the amount of output representing the exposed image to be recorded by the recorder, and a computer circuit responsive to the output of the indicating switch for changing the driving characteristics of the drive source.

Abstract: A system for recording information on an information recording disc such as a magnetic or optical disc. The recording system includes velocity control means for controlling the disc at a predetermined rotation velocity and synchronizing signal phase shifting means for shifting the phase of a synchronizing signal of a signal to be recorded. The system controls the rotation of the disc by the velocity control at the same velocity as the rotation velocity in the phase locked condition by the phase control in a very short period of time and during the recording of a signal the synchronizing signal of the signal is generated to conform with the rotational phase of the disc thereby producing the same condition as the phase locked condition.

Abstract: A power control circuit for a color encoder of a video camera having a camera head portion, a signal processing circuit for generating a luminance signal and a chrominance signal, a color encoder supplied with the luminance signal and the chrominance signal and for generating a composite video signal, and an external output terminal at which the composite video signal is obtained includes a power switch for controlling the power supply to the color encoder, a comparator connected to the external output terminal and for comparing the level of a synchronizing signal at the external output terminal with a reference level and a control circuit supplied with the output of the comparator and for controlling the power switch such that the power switch is turned on when the external output terminal is terminated.

Abstract: A video recording/reproducing camera has a cover which covers control buttons associated with the reproduction operation to prevent an operator from touching the control buttons. A sensor switch detects whether or not the cover prevents the control buttons from being touched erroneously by the operator. When the sensor switch detects that the cover uncovers the control buttons to permit the control buttons to be touched by the operator, the operation of the video camera and the recording operation are disabled and only the reproduction mode is enabled. Therefore, the erroneous operations during the recording and reproduction modes are prevented.

Abstract: A recording medium is used in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising a rotational motor and a recording and/or reproducing circuit. The recording medium comprises a main body having a substantially cylindrical part, and a hollow part open at least at one end thereof, a recording surface formed at least on a peripheral surface of the cylindrical part, and a coupling part provided at the main body and to be coupled to the motor. The recording medium is loaded into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus in a state where at least a part of the motor is relatively inserted into the hollow part.

Abstract: A photographing and recording method and apparatus for an electronic still picture camera of the type in which an image is picked up by a combination of a mechanical or electrooptical shutter and an image pickup device and the resulting picture signal is recorded on a magnetic disk, eliminate any undesired power consumption due to the preliminary revolution of the magnetic disk. The revolution of the magnetic disk is started upon the depression of the shutter button and the revolution is controlled at a constant speed by a velocity servosystem.

Abstract: A magnetic recorder or reproducer in an electronic camera system wherein a subject is pure-electronically still-photographed and recorded on a rotating magnetic disc, and the reproducing of an image is carried out by a television system or a printer.In this rotary magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus, the addressing of tracks is performed under two modes including absolute addresses and relative addresses, so that the most proper mode can be used in accordance with the purpose of use of the track addresses. Particularly, the adverse influence of a shift in the addressing due to a dropout can be eliminated and a shift in the numbering when the track number is displayed can be also eliminated.

Abstract: An electronic imaging camera is provided for recording either continuous moving video images in analog format or high resolution still images in digital format. The electronic imaging camera includes an electronic viewfinder in which either the continuous moving images or low resolution still images may be played back. An accessory may be releasably connected to the electronic imaging camera to facilitate playback of the high resolution still images on a separate video display device.

Abstract: A system utilizing aspects of both photography and electronic imaging is provided for recording and reproducing an image of scene in color. A camera component of the system photographically records the image on monochromatic film to provide a high resolution photograph from which electronic luminance signals are derived, and also utilizes an image sensor for providing lower resolution chrominance signals which are recorded on a medium, such as a magnetic stripe, that may be formed on the film unit. The photograph and chrominance signal recording are transferred to a reproduction component of the system which derives the luminance information signals from the photograph and combines it with the chrominance signals to provide three primary color signals which are utilized to drive a hard copy printer or an electronic image display device.

Abstract: An electronic still camera including a shutter, an image sensor, a recording device for recording an output signal from the image sensor, a power source for supplying electric power to the image sensor and recording device, and a shutter button is disclosed in which immediately after the operation of the shutter button is detected, the shutter is made open and an optical image of a body to be imaged is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor in a state that scanning and reading operations for the image sensor are inhibited, the above state is maintained till the recording device reaches a recordable state, to accumulate an electric charge corresponding to the optical image in the image sensor for an open period of the shutter, and a scanning operation for the image sensor is started after the recording device has reached the recordable state, in order for the recording device to record the output signal from the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic camera for shooting an object to store a still picture of the object in a first rotary magnetic recording medium in the form of video signals includes a driving device for turning the first rotary magnetic recording medium which is detachably mounted, and a recording device for recording video signals of a unit of still picture on the first rotary magnetic recording medium while rotating. The electronic still camera further includes a first terminal for receiving video signals of still picture read out from a second rotary magnetic recording medium, a second terminal for receiving a control signal in response to a reading operation of the video signals from the second rotary magnetic recording medium, and a control device for controlling the driving device and the recording device.

Abstract: An electronic still single-lens reflex camera having a head loading device having a simplified construction and low power consumption. A depressing pad which is displaceable towards the magnetic recording medium is provided on the side of the medium opposite the side adjacent the magnetic recording head. An interlocking mechanism displaces the depressing pad towards the recording medium in association with the operation of a drive unit adapted to drive the image mirror of the camera and positioned so that the recording medium is pushed against the magnetic recording head by the depressing pad.

Abstract: An electronic still single-lens reflex camera having an improved tracking device employing a simplified construction and having a lowered manufacturing cost. A head feed mechanism is operated in association with the operation of a drive unit which drives the image mirror of the camera in such a manner that the magnetic recording head is moved radially of the magnetic medium in association with the operation of the image mirror. The head mechanism includes a stage on which the recording head is mounted, a feed gear, a feed pawl, a tracking bar supporting the feed pawl and movable with the retraction of the image mirror from the image beam path, and a motion converting mechanism for converting the rotation of the feed gear into linear motion of the stage, the feed gear being turned through a predetermined angle by the feed pawl.

Abstract: A magnetic disk recording apparatus is disclosed having a synchronization modification circuit utilized to control the rotational speed of a magnetic disc, whereby an integer number of horizontal lines of a standard video signal are recorded on one annular track of the magnetic disc. When the recorded video signal is repeatedly reproduced, a non-interlaced single field "still" video image is displayed on a standard monitor adapted to display an interlaced image.

Abstract: A mechanism for lifting and lowering a magnetic head into and out of contact with a magnetic medium such as a magnetic sheet includes at least one guide shaft rotatably supported on a frame and having an eccentric portion. A magnetic head carriage supports a magnetic head thereon and is slidably movable along the guide shaft toward a recording/playback position, the magnetic head carriage having an end held in engagement with the eccentric portion of the guide shaft. A driver mechanism is mounted on the frame for rotating the guide shaft to cause the eccentric portion to displace the magnetic head toward a backing plate with a magnetic medium such as a magnetic sheet interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An exposure control device for an electronic photographing apparatus comprises a gate circuit, which can transfer a transfer gate driving signal to a transfer gate in synchronism to the horizontal vertical synchronization control of said solid state image sensor, and a shutter driving circuit, which can operate a shutter in synchronism with a transfer gate driving signal first generated after the appearance of a shutter release signal. While the shutter is open, the gate circuit inhibits the transfer gate driving signal.

Abstract: A hand-held color TV camera includes a grip mounted on a lens casing and a mechanism built in a rear portion of the grip for connecting a camera cable to the camera. A button for remote controlling the start and stop of a recording apparatus is positioned in a rear section of the grip. Strap cooperative with the grip is fastened to a lower portion of the grip.

Abstract: A still picture to television signal conversion system for scanning a still picture to produce a video signal includes an image pickup device for scanning a still picture to form a video signal, which represents the still picture. A rotatable recording medium is caused by a drive unit to rotate. A recording unit is operatively connected to the image pickup device to record the video signal on the recording medium. A reproducing unit reads the video signal out of the recording medium for playback. A control circuit is constructed to enable the drive unit to rotate the recording medium at a first speed, cause the image pickup device to scan the still picture in synchronism with the rotation of the recording medium, and cause the recording unit to record the video signal on a predetermined recording unit of the recording medium.

Abstract: A rotating head assembly comprises a fixed lower drum; a rotating member which has at least one head and also has a void hole in a position corresponding to the axis of rotation; supporting means which is disposed in a position farther away from the axis of rotation than the void hole and is arranged to support the rotating member rotatably relative to the fixed lower drum; and at least one composing means which is arranged by utilizing the void hole to compose at least a portion of the rotating head assembly.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus of reduced size for portability combines a video camera and helical scan video tape recorder in a single unit, in which the reduced size is obtained in part by having a tape guide drum of reduced diameter, which requires a tape wrap angle greater than the conventional 180.degree. and employs a pair of rotary tape heads that are arranged close together relative to the diametrically opposed conventional head arrangement. The timing of the heads in recording the fields of the video signals as tracks is controlled by a vertical synchronization signal having pulses that are delayed to account for the finite distance between the two rotary heads. The vertical sync signal then has a different time period for a first field than it does for a second field of one frame of the video signal. The camera has an image pickup portion that is caused to be scanned by the same synchronization signals utilized in the recording operation.