Victor Company of Japan, Limited

U.S. Philips Corporation

Mitsuo Harumatsu

Takeo Ohishi

Seiji Higurashi

Masato Mihara

Hiromichi Hirayama

Mitsuhiko Hara

Yasuhiko Teranishi

Masahiro Matsumaru

Yoshinobu Tsuji

A data recording apparatus is disclosed comprising memory circuits for storing video and sound data, and an error check code generation circuit for generating check codes for the data. The check code data is stored in a data block including the data and the check code data generated in accordance with the data. The apparatus includes an interleaving portion for reading the data and check code data for every stored data block and interleaving a predetermined number of the data blocks to provide an editing unit. The apparatus further includes a recording portion for recording the interleaved data blocks on a magnetic tape through helical scanning of every editing unit. The data may include video data and corresponding sound data. The video data is recorded on the magnetic tape on consecutive (t&minus;p) tracks and the sound data is recorded on the magnetic tape on consecutive p tracks. One of a plurality of interleaving patterns is selected, and data indicative of the interleaving pattern is also recorded at a sub-code area on each track. A data reproducing apparatus including a de-interleaving portion for restoring the interleaved data block is also disclosed.

Helical scan data recording apparatus and a helical scan data reproducing apparatus

Digital signals are recorded in sequential tracks on a tape-form recording medium. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with a first recording format, at least first digital signals for normal reproduction are recorded in a single area of the first format on each track. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with at least a second recording format, at least the first digital signals are recorded in a specific area among divided areas of the second format, the divided areas being rewritable independently on each track, the specific area being common for both the first and second formats. And, second digital signals for special reproduction are recorded in previously determined areas among recording areas on each track, the recording areas being common for both the first and second formats.

Digital signal recording method and apparatus and recording medium therefor

First data blocks are reproduced from a recording medium. The first data blocks contain respective identification information pieces for discriminating the first data blocks from each other. A decision is made as to whether or not each of the reproduced first data blocks is correct in response to the identification information piece therein. Each reproduced first data block which is decided to be not correct is discarded. Second data blocks are generated from the reproduced first data blocks which are not discarded. The second data blocks differ in size from the first data blocks.

Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding digital data blocks with

Input picture information is divided into first and second division-resultant signals. Y-signal DCT blocks, Cr-signal DCT blocks, and Cb-signal DCT blocks are generated from the first division-resultant signal. Y-signal DCT blocks, Cr-signal DCT blocks, and Cb-signal DCT blocks are generated from the second division-resultant signal. Dummy DCT blocks are generated which are distinguishable from the Y-signal DCT blocks related to the first and second division-resultant signals. The Y-signal DCT blocks, the Cr-signal DCT blocks, and the Cb-signal DCT blocks related to the first division-resultant signal, and the dummy DCT blocks are grouped into macro-blocks each having two Y-signal DCT blocks, one Cr-signal DCT block, one Cb-signal DCT block, and two dummy DCT blocks to modify the first-division-resultant signal into a first modification-resultant signal. The Y-signal DCT blocks, the Cr-signal DCT blocks, and the Cb-signal DCT blocks related to the second division-resultant signal, and the dummy DCT blocks are grouped into macro-blocks each having two Y-signal DCT blocks, one Cr-signal DCT block, one Cb-signal DCT block, and two dummy DCT blocks to modify the second division-resultant signal into a second modification-resultant signal. The first modification-resultant signal is compressed by DCT and variable length encoding while a data amount of the first compression-resultant signal per given number of macro-blocks is maintained at a fixed amount. The second modification-resultant signal is similarly compressed.

Method and apparatus for processing picture information, and recording

Method, device, and medium for recording digital signal

Digital signal recording method and apparatus and recording medium

A method of recording video data and the accompanied sound data capable of editing the video data and sound data track by track without editing gaps is disclosed. The track format includes a first block of tracks for video data and a second block of tracks for sound data for a predetermined number of frames. Another method of selectively recording one of a plurality of kinds of video data having different amounts of data per frame or field and the accompanied sound data (NTSC and for example) is provided. In this method, the video data and sound data are recorded with a recording and editing unit which is a determined by a common multiple of the selected one of kinds of video data among the amounts of data of the different kinds of video data. In NTSC method the video and sound data are receded every six frames or fields and in the method, the video and sound data are recorded every 5 frames or fields, so that a track pattern having T=24 tracks including P tracks for sound data and T-P tracks for video data are recurrently recorded. The video and sound data are recorded track by track, so that video and sound data can be edited tack by track.

Method of recording various different video signals onto magnetic tape

In a recording and reproducing apparatus, time stamps are generated which represent moments of arrival of sequentially-inputted packets of data respectively. The generated time stamps are added to the sequentially-inputted packets respectively, and thereby the sequentially-inputted packets are converted into second packets respectively. The second packets are recorded on a recording medium. The second packets are sequentially reproduced from the recording medium. The time stamps in the respective reproduced second packets are detected. A detection is made as to whether each of the detected time stamps is correct or wrong. When a wrong time stamp is detected, a reproduced second packet is discarded which relates to the detected wrong time stamp.

Recording and reproducing apparatus for packet data

A digital signal is recorded along tracks on a recording medium. Each of the tracks has plural areas. A portion of the digital signal which is recorded on a first area out of the plural areas includes information for reproduction of the digital signal. The information is recorded also on at least one of second areas out of the plural areas. The second areas are greater in size than the first area. The information includes, for example, subcode header information.

Apparatus and method for recording and reproducing digital signals on

Audio packets are separated from an input stream of packets including audio packets and video packets. The audio packets relate to audio information. The video packets relate to video information. The video packets are separated from the input stream of packets. The separated audio packets are recorded on first tracks among an array of tracks on a recording medium. The first tracks are spaced by equal intervals corresponding to a given number of tracks. The separated video packets are recorded on second tracks among the array of tracks on the recording medium. The second tracks differ from the first tracks. The first tracks are scanned, and the audio packets are reproduced from the first tracks during high-speed playback. An output stream of packets is generated in response to the reproduced audio packets during the high-speed playback.

Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing packet data

A method for recording and reproducing digital signals in and from a recording medium is provided. The digital signals are to be recorded in any given k-th mode of N-kind digital signal transmission modes of mutually different packet sizes. Digital signals of p.sub.k packets with additional data are recorded on tracks of the recording medium in unit of d.sub.k data blocks. Data blocks of a multiple of the least common multiple R of the data block recording units of the respective digital signals of the N-kind digital signal transmission modes are recorded in each track. The data blocks recorded in the recording medium are reproduced. Here, N is a two or more natural number, k is 1 to N, and p.sub.k and d.sub.k are a natural number. There is a case where the digital signals are to be recorded in first and second digital signal transmission modes of two different packet sizes. In this case, in the first digital signal transmission mode, the digital signals of one packet in unit of two data blocks with the additional data are recorded. Further, in the second digital signal transmission mode, the digital signals of two packets in unit of three data blocks with the additional data are recorded. And, the data blocks of a multiple of six are recorded in each track on the recording medium.

Method of recording and reproducing digital signals in different signal

An image information compression and decompression device produces a low frequency band signal suitable for reproduction of a standard definition (SD) image and a combined high frequency band signal which, when processed together with the low frequency band signal, can reproduce a high definition (HD) image. These signals are derived from a high definition (HD) image signal and are subjected to motion compensation prediction coding. An I picture of the HD image is divided into a plurality of band signals which are coded and quantized by a coding/quantizing circuit. Thus, an intra-plane coding of the divided image signal is performed for the I picture. For a P picture of the HD image, a low frequency band signal is derived and a combined high frequency band signal excluding the low frequency band signal is produced. The low frequency band signal and the combined high frequency band signal are subjected to motion compensation prediction coding by a motion compensation prediction coding circuit. This results in a system which is compatible to both standard and high definition television systems.

Image information compression and decompression device

A cassette loading device of the front loading type selectively loads standard and smaller cassettes into a loaded position in a video cassette recorder, and ejects the loaded cassette from the video cassette recorder. A housing has a cassette insertion slot, a first door mounted on the housing for selectively opening and closing the cassette insertion slot, and a second door mounted on the first door for selectively opening and closing an opening defined in the first door. A pair of door lock members is mounted on the housing one on each side of the cassette insertion slot. When no cassette is inserted, the first door is locked against angular movement by the door lock members, and when a standard cassette is inserted through the cassette insertion slot, a tapered surface of each of the door lock members is pushed by the inserted standard cassette to disengage an engaging surface of the door lock member from the first door to unlock the first door. When a smaller cassette is inserted through the opening, the smaller cassette is guided through the opening while opening the second door. The second door can be locked by another pair of door lock members on one side of the opening.

Cassette loading device for video cassette recorder

A tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette tray adapted for holding a standard size tape cassette and having a depression adapted for holding a compact size tape cassette, a cassette carriage for transporting the cassette tray in a horizontal direction from an unloading position to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, and an elevating mechanism for moving the cassette tray transported to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in a downward direction to a loading position where the tape cassette is located ready for loading on a rotary drum assembly of the apparatus. The loading system comprises detecting switches for detecting uncorrect state of the tape cassette on the cassette tray and a controller for inhibiting the continuation of loading procedure when it is detected that the tape cassette is not properly or correctly placed on the cassette tray. The lock of the lid of the tape cassette is released when the tape cassette is lowered to the loading position and the lid is opened by engagement with a lid opening mechanism.

Tape cassette loading system compatible with two different sized

A tape loading mechanism of a video tape recorder designed to play a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape casette comprises a chassis carrying a pair of guide grooves at both sides of a guide drum toward a first area of the chassis on which the standard size tape cassette is held at the time of operation of the video tape recorder. The guide grooves are further extended toward a second area of the chassis defined inside the first area on which the compact size tape cassette is held. A pair of loading members are moved along the guide grooves toward their front ends close to the tape cassette when the compact size tape cassette is loaded so that loading poles in the loading members are accepted in a cutout portion formed at a front side of the compact size tape cassette. Further, the loading members are displaced toward the rear end of the guide grooves when the standard size tape cassette is loaded so that the loading poles are accepted in a depressed part formed at a front side of the standard size tape cassette. A light emitting element for detection of the end of the tape is held rotatably on an arm and changes in position responsive to the type of the tape cassette. A deformable member is provided on a tension arm which is connected to a brake member for applying resistance to the rotation of the supply reel, so as to avoid excessive slackening of the brake member when the tension arm is rotated to a position adapted for loading the compact size tape cassette. Further, a half loading arm is provided so as to prevent complete loading of the magnetic tape on the guide drum during high speed transportation of the magnetic tape.

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Yokohama, Japan

Mitsuo Harumatsu