Abstract: To prevent fraudulent innumerable copies of a copyrighted digital signal from appearing, a dedicated device driver reads the copyrighted digital signal from a card type recording medium, for example, a copy bit flag is added to the digital signal thus read, the copy bit flag indicating that there exists no digital signal identical to the original digital data, and the digital signal having the copy bit flag added thereto is stored into a hard disc.

Abstract: A memory unit such as a memory card is removably attachable to a data processing unit such as a digital video recorder or an audio recording/reproducing unit. The memory unit includes a non-volatile memory, a security unit for protecting the security of data stored in the non-volatile memory, and an interface that receives control data from the data processing unit. The control data is either first control data for a read or write operation with respect to the non-volatile memory, or second control data (different from the first control data) for a security operation of the security unit. Thus, a security-type memory card is compatible with both a security type and a non-security type data processing unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus operates to process input signal samples representative of at least part of a color video image to produce legal color signal samples representative of a legal color version of the image. The apparatus comprises an adjustment factor generator, which operates to generate a plurality of adjustment factors which when combined with the input signal samples have an effect of converting illegal color pixels of the color image into legal color pixels, an adjustment factor biasing processor coupled to the adjustment factor generator, which operates to change the adjustment factors by combining each of the adjustment factors with a biasing constant, and a color legalizer coupled to the biasing processor, which operates to combine the biased adjustment factors with the input signal samples to produce the legalized color signal samples.

Abstract: Information processing apparatus and method in which an objective image is acquired, and indentification information corresponding to specific image pattern is recognized from the objective image. It is determined whether the identification information recognized in local identification information for starting processing previously registered for each terminal, or any one of a plurality of code representing global identification information for starting processing common to all terminals. If the identification information is determined to be local identification information, the processing previously registered for each terminal is locally executed. If the identification information represents the global identification information, a request is made to a global code server that searches an associated global database having a plurality of stored codes and corresponding information, to execute the global processing corresponding to the identification information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for superimposing additional information onto image information in a manner such that the additional information is inconspicuous on the displayed image. The additional information is spread throughout the image signal via logical operation with a pseudo-random code sequence. A dithering process is performed on the spread additional information in which masking patterns are randomly applied to mask some pixels from superimposition, thereby reducing the effective level of the additional information signal. High frequency random noise is added to the dithered additional information to further reduce the perceptible effect of the additional information on the image. The dithered and noise-added additional information signal is superimposed with the image signal, and recorded on a storage medium.

Abstract: In an image recording/reproducing apparatus and its method which is capable of readily extracting a still image from a moving image for recording, a still image designated by the user is extracted from a moving image inputted from image input/output means (C1-C5) or from a moving image reproduced by moving image recording means (11, 12), and the extracted still image is recorded in still image recording means (22); thereby making it possible to readily extract a still image from a moving image and record the extracted still image, without interconnecting a plurality of devices as required before, and highly improving the usability in consequence.

Abstract: In a data structure identifying method, objects and/or data structures are differentiated by using an identifier. The identifier is formed by using an index in place of an address, thereby reducing a required number of bits for describing the address. A table is used for representing the relationship between the index and the address. To ensure that the identifier is unique on a time axis, the index is combined with a time stamp or a counter. The identifier further includes a format determining portion, such as an object identifier “OID” format bit and/or a reserved bit, which may be used for determining the presence or the absence of a network address. The identifier is thus applicable to an expandable system. As a result, it is possible to provide a data structure identifying method in which only a small number of bits are required and in which a high level of system performance can be maintained.

Abstract: A result of a blank/written identification performed concurrently with decoding is verified when an error occurs during decoding of read information, and retry is performed according to this identification result in order to achieve fast retry operation. Specifically, a blank check is performed concurrently with decoding of readout data so that when a decoding error occurs, the blank check status can be immediately identified. In this way, suitable retry operations can be undertaken.

Abstract: An MPEG downdecoder is to be provided which eliminates dephasing of pixels of moving picture data without losing properties inherent in a picture obtained on interlaced scanning. In the case of a field DCT mode, 4×4 decimating IDCT is executed for phase correction for a ¼ pixel for pixels in the vertical direction of a top field and for phase correction for ¾ pixel for pixels in the vertical direction of a bottom field. In the case of a frame DCT mode, the totality of coefficients of a DCT block are IDCTed and separated into two pixel blocks associated with interlaced scanning. The low-frequency components of these two pixel blocks are IDCTed to synthesize the two pixel blocks. The pixels in the vertical direction of the top field are phase-corrected by a ¼ pixel, while those in the vertical direction of the bottom field are phase-corrected by a ¾ pixel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for allocating tie slots in a time division duplex communication system. First and second types of time slots selected from receiving and transmitting type time slots are allocated as the first and second time slots, respectively, in a current frame. Based on an amount of information to be transferred, it is determined whether at least one time slot following the second time slot of the frame should be allocated as the first type of time slot, and if so, the last time slot of the frame is always allocated as the first type of time slot, whereby the last time slot of the frame and the first time slot of a succeeding frame are of the same type. If an additional time slot(s) is allocated for the second type of time slot, the third slot is always designated for the second type.

Abstract: A power supply uses a switching element of a desired voltage withstanding property to obtain a desired conversion output. The power supply includes a converter transformer having primary and secondary windings loosely coupled to one another, and an auxiliary winding with a predetermined number of turns wound contiguously from one end of the primary winding to an end portion of the converter transformer. An input voltage smoothing capacitor is connected on one side to an end of the primary winding of the converter transformer through a forwardly directed diode. A switching element is connected to the other end of the primary winding. A control circuit controls the switching element to perform switching so that an output voltage of the secondary winding has a predetermined voltage value (or is within a predetermined voltage range). A second capacitor is coupled across opposite ends of the auxiliary winding via the forwardly directed diode, to boost-up voltage applied to the converter transformer.

Abstract: A digital information reproducing apparatus and method in which a digital reproduction signal is equalized by predetermined equalizing characteristics, and a first clock signal is formed on the basis of the equalized signal. The digital reproduction signal is A/D converted using the first clock signal. A predetermined time base decompression is performed on the A/D converted signal every signal portion by the first clock signal and a second, lower frequency clock signal which is supplied separately from the first clock signal. Decoding data is output by performing a maximum likelihood decoding process to the signal after time base decompression. A predetermined time base compression is performed to the decoding data output by the maximum likelihood decoding process.

Abstract: A picture signal processing system is disclosed, that comprises a decoder for generating the number of encoded bits and/or an average quantizing scale as representative value(s) of encoding parameters of an input encoded picture signal, decoding the input encoded picture signal, generating the decoded picture signal, and outputting the encoding parameters along with the generated decoded picture signal, and an encoder for encoding the decoded picture signal with the encoding parameters.

Abstract: An optical disc recording/reproducing method and apparatus employs a logical format that allows for long interleaving by a large block to thereby improve reliability of the recording/reproduction operation. Data is recorded/reproduced in accordance with a disc format in which an ECC block is formed by a first error correction code C1 interleaved with respect to the direction of data on the disc, and a second code C2 having a different data direction from that of the first error correction code. The ECC block is made up of one or more sectors, and an information word portion of the first error correction code in the ECC block encompasses the interleaved second code.

Abstract: A server computer for a data communication system and adapted to transmit a document via a network, such as the Internet or an intranet, to a client computer in response to a request therefrom. The server includes an article memory for storing a plurality of article documents and respective bibliographic data; processing circuitry for receiving from a system administrator and storing an article document selection rule, and for retrieving from the article memory a subset of the plurality of article documents and assembling a table of contents-type document from at least part of each of the subset of article documents. The subset of article documents is selected according to the respective bibliographic data using the article document selection rule. Transmission circuitry is responsive to the request for transmitting the assembled document onto the network for delivery to the client computer.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus (e.g., VTR) includes capability to exchange information with a storage apparatus such as a memory card mounted on a recording medium assembly (e.g., cassette). When the cassette is inserted into a compartment in the compartment in a VTR, a switch in the VTR is pushed by the case of the cassette, detecting the insertion of the cassette into the compartment. At that time, a signal indicating the insertion of the cassette into the compartment is supplied to a microcomputer from the switch. Notified by the signal, the microcomputer issues a command to a reader/writer, requesting the reader/writer to read out information pertaining to data recorded on the cassette from the memory card mounted on the cassette for recording the data through an antenna. With the cassette located outside the compartment, on the other hand, the microcomputer issues a command to a reader/writer, requesting the reader/writer to read out the information from the memory card through another antenna.

Abstract: A picture signal processing method and apparatus, a picture signal recording method and apparatus, and a recording medium, in which resolution switching is effected seamlessly. To this end, a controller 19 has the function of reading out the identification information specifying the resolution of the bitstream and the relation between the recording units, from a user data region provided in a video stream as a minimum unit which permits switching of the resolution in a MPEG 2 standard bitstream, and of switching the resolution of the picture signals associated with the recording units.

Abstract: An MPEG downdecoder is to be provided which eliminates pixel dephasing with the field DCT mode and the frame DCT mode without detracting from picture characteristics proper to interlaced pictures. To this end, a decimating IDCT unit 14 effectuates 4×4 decimating IDCT if the DCT mode is the field mode. If the DCT mode is a frame mode, a decimating IDCT unit 15 effectuates IDCT on the totality of coefficients of a DCT block to separate the coefficients into two pixel blocks associated with interlaced scanning. The decimating IDCT unit 15 executes DCT on the separated two pixel blocks. The low-frequency components of the two pixel blocks are processed with IDCT and the two pixel blocks are synthesized.

Abstract: The record position information of broadcasts is used to evaluate the blank length from the tape head up to the record start position of the first broadcast. The blank length from the record end position of the broadcast up to the record start position of the next broadcast is evaluated. The blank lengths are compared up to the last broadcast sequentially to detect the longest blank section. The longest blank section is compared with the blank lengths from the record end position of the last broadcast up to the tape end, and the longer one is discriminated to be the blank section of the longest blank length. The maximum available record time which depends on the recording mode is calculated from the longest blank length, and it is displayed. The maximum available record time of the recording medium can readily be detected.

Abstract: Video signals input to a hybrid recorder are output to the main unit of a computer as video signals. The hybrid recorder records the video signals in a built-in hard disk, and also replays the signals from the hard disk, the signals being output to a picture effects device as video signals. The picture effects device applies certain effects to the video signals, which are then output to the main unit as video signals. The main unit displays the image of the video signals and the image of the video signals on a monitor. Thus, editing can be performed easily and speedily, while adding effects.