Abstract: A decoding apparatus and data reproduction apparatus which can perform correction of 1T and 2T which inherently cannot exist as EFM signals, reduce processing of an error correction circuit, and improve the playability. Provision is made of an EPM block containing a correction portion for detecting an edge of an RF signal converted to a binary format by the PLL asymmetry correction circuit for NRZ conversion, using a clock generated in the digital PLL circuit for synchronization, detecting 1T and 2T (T is a channel clock period), which inherently cannot exist as EFM signals in format, generated at the time of synchronization, correcting the detected 1T and 2T signals to 0 or 3T in accordance with predetermined conditions to remove the 1T and 2T from the RF signal, and modulating the RF signal from which the 1T and 2T have been removed by EFM and a demodulation circuit for demodulating by EFM a signal after modulation by EFM.

Abstract: Multimedia components for reproducing/recording information in a data storage medium are controlled via a personal computer. By selecting graphical representations of the multimedia components and of their control switches, the user enters instructions on the personal computer to perform various operations by the components. The representative operations include turning the component on/off, setting its volume, adjusting its bass/treble, etc. Another operation may include finding a particular track/scene in the user library displayed on the screen and reproducing the track/scene on the corresponding multimedia component by selecting on the screen the graphical representation corresponding to the reproducing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the recording of television programs are disclosed. The apparatus displays electronic program guide information superposed on a television signal. The apparatus allows a plurality of desired programs to be reserved for recording based on the electronic program guide information. An icon is continuously displayed on a television screen in connection with the television picture signal when a program is reserved for recording. An altered form of the icon may be displayed on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible due to a specific condition of a recording medium for recording the program. A corresponding method is described.

Abstract: Performing an antenna diversity set-up according to the present invention a first mobile terminal (1) transmits a pre-defined antenna calibration signal to a second mobile terminal (15) using its omni-directional antenna (10). During the period of the transmitted signal the best receiving antenna (x) is identified at the second mobile terminal (15) by switching all its directional antennas (21 to 28) and its omni-directional antenna (20) into its receiving path and measuring the received signal quality, e.g. the received signal strength. The directional antenna (x) of the second network device (15) which is identified as best receiving antenna is then used for transmission and reception of data transfer with the first network device (1).

Abstract: A signal coding method and apparatus enables effective coding of a predetermined time segment of a video signal with a variable bit rate at real time (one-path) into a total coding bit amount of a constant data capacity. A coding difficulty calculator 13 determines a coding difficulty of an input signal for each unit time. An allocation bit amount calculator 14 interrelates an allocation data amount with a coding difficulty for each unit time standardized in advance using an ordinary input signal of the type to which the input signal belongs, so as to obtain a reference value of the allocation data amount for each unit time interrelated with the coding difficulty supplied from the coding difficulty calculator 13. This reference value of the allocation data amount is modified by a controller 15 into an actual allocation data amount, according to which the input signal is coded by a moving picture image coding apparatus 18, so as to create coded data.

Abstract: An image which is seen as a natural feeling can be attained in such a manner that a resolution of a photographed image is kept substantially constant irrespective of any variation in condition of an optical system such as an iris diaphragm diameter and a zoom position. For example, in the case that it is adapted for an iris diaphragm diameter, an MTF corresponding to a variation of an iris diaphragm diameter is measured (FIG. 6A) and then a gain of an output of an aperture control circuit capable of canceling a reduction of high frequency component of the image signal corresponding to the measured MTF (FIG. 6B). Then, an iris diaphragm diameter varied during a photographing operation is detected, a gain set in response to the detected iris diaphragm diameter is applied to the aperture control circuit, thereby a control is carried out such that an amplitude of the high frequency component of the brightness signal (FIG. 6C) being kept substantially constant without having any relation with the iris diaphragm.

Abstract: A decoding method for use in a communications system employing a communication channel in which a message is convolutionally encoded by a base station encoder and transmitted to a remote terminal during a time slot allocated to at least that remote terminal. The encoder is not completely reset immediately prior to the allocated time slot such the encoder state is unknown at the onset thereof. The decoding method includes assigning a most likelihood probability for an initial encoder state as being one of a number of predetermined encoder states; and, convolutionally decoding ensuing bits of the message based on the assumption of the initial encoder state as one of the predetermined states. The method affords low error rate decoding, and allows for improved power conservation by a mobile station, since the mobile station need not awaken significantly prior to its allocated time slot. Preferably, a Viterbi decoder is used to perform the convolutional decoding.

Abstract: A data reading apparatus and a data reading method are disclosed which are structured to efficiently read data from a recording medium so as to improve data processing speed. A reading-order control circuit obtains first total jump time which is taken when data is read from an optical disc in an order as first, second, third and fourth files and second total jump time which is taken when data is read in an order as first, third, second and fourth files. The reading-order control circuit determines whether or not the first total jump time is longer than the second total jump time. If the reading-order control circuit determines that the first total jump time is longer than the second total jump time, the reading-order control circuit controls an optical head to read data from the optical disc in the order as the first, third, second and the fourth files.

Abstract: A recording apparatus configured to receive analog video and audio signals, digitize and compress the same, and record the compressed audio and video signals on a digital recording medium such as an optical disk. As the audio and video signals are received and recorded, time segments of the audio signals are analyzed for certain features such as whether the time segment corresponds to instrumental music, vocal music or conversational speech. A table of contents is then generated corresponding to the feature analysis and digitally stored on the storage medium. As a result, the recorded audio is characterized over time, e.g., on a frame by frame basis. A high degree of versatility is thereby provided in the playback process, such as the ability to skip portions having certain audio types or to quickly scroll to desired portions of the recorded audio programs. Reproducing apparatuses enable the user to selectively reproduce segments of the recorded audio and video.

Abstract: A time display bar is displayed in a purchasing picture, and an elapsed time indication bar for indicating an elapsed broadcast time of a selected PPV program with respect to its total broadcast time is displayed in the time display bar. By looking at the time display bar, a user can immediately and visually recognize the progress in time of the selected PPV program at the present time. Where the selected PPV program accommodates NVOD, time display bars for candidate PPV programs having the same contents as the selected PPV program and to be broadcast on different channels are also displayed in the purchasing picture. This provides more effective user interface.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling replay of video and/or audio material comprises cursor control means for providing user control of a cursor on the display screen; selection control means for selecting an operation to be performed by the apparatus in dependence on the current position of the cursor on the display screen when the selection control means is activated by the user; means for defining a shuttle control display screen area for use in controlling shuttle replay operation; means for detecting an initial activation of the selection control means while the cursor is at an initial activation point within the shuttle control display screen area; and means, responsive to the detecting means, for controlling shuttle replay of the recorded material at a shuttle speed dependent on a current displacement on the display screen of the cursor from the initial activation point while the selection control means remains continuously activated after the initial activation.

Abstract: A slide-feed drive part (27) uses a stepping motor as a slide-feed motor for changing the position of a optical pick-up (3) with respect to the rotation surface of an optical disk (1), and has a micro-controller (31) provided therein and a slide-feed motor controller (32) both for correcting drive current waveforms to drive the stepping motor. Therefore, by correcting the motor driving waveforms, the optical pick-up (3) can be linearly moved with respect to the rotation of the slide-feed motor (14). It is thereby possible to do away with a position sensor and make a fine positional control of the optical pick-up (3) with no variation. As a result of this, it is possible to provide an optical disk driving apparatus, an optical disk driving method, and an optical disk apparatus, which enhances the linearity of the rotation of the motor with a simple construction.

Abstract: Encoding/decoding apparatus includes an encoding device having a picture memory for storing input picture data and having a search range determining unit for determining a range of a picture to be iteratively coded. A coded bit stream is generated from the picture data that is iterative coded within the determined range. A decoding device has a picture memory for storing picture data obtained from the coded bit stream received from the encoding device. The decoding device also has maximum allowable memory capacity determining unit for calculating maximum decodable capacity of the picture memory to carry out iterated function decoding on the coded bit stream and to output the decoded data as decoded picture data. The encoding/decoding apparatus provides high coding efficiency by using small memory capacity and a picture of high quality.

Abstract: An image signal converting apparatus for converting a first image signal into a second image signal, where the first and second image signals include a plurality of pictures of different frames. A motion detector is operable to detect motion of the first image signal between a first frame and a second frame, and processing circuitry produces the second image signal based on an assumption of a pixel at a position corresponding to the detected motion. The apparatus may be employed to produce an output signal of either the same resolution as the first image signal with aliasing distortion reduced or eliminated, or with higher resolution in vertical and/or horizontal directions.

Abstract: The invention provides an encoding apparatus capable of encoding an image signal in a scalable fashion and also provides a decoding apparatus corresponding to the encoding apparatus. In particular, the invention provides an image signal encoding apparatus for encoding a plurality of image signals, wherein at least one of the plurality of image signals is an image signal representing a moving image object, and the plurality of image signals are encoded together with a signal used to combine the image signal representing the moving image object with other image signals. The encoded signal is decoded by the decoding apparatus according to the invention.

Abstract: An external storage apparatus which incorporates a flash memory arranged to erase data in units of predetermined blocks and which is structured in such a manner that an error which is made when boot data is read is prevented. Boot data is stored in a plurality of different blocks. Moreover, an identification number indicating whether boot data stored in each of the blocks in which boot data has been stored is new or old is stored in each of the blocks. When the external storage apparatus is booted up, latest boot data among boot data stored in the plurality of the different blocks is read in accordance with the identification number. Latest boot data is used to boot the external storage apparatus up. When the external storage apparatus is booted up, whether boot data stored in the plurality of the different blocks is new or old is determined in accordance with the identification number. If old boot data exists, old boot data is rewritten to latest boot data.

Abstract: A chilling apparatus for chilling a liquid in a container includes a compartment sized to accept and retain the container; and a coolant receptacle adjoining a side portion of the compartment, for retaining a coolant, e.g., an ice/water mixture. The adjoining side portion has at least one aperture that allows the coolant to flow through to enter the compartment and surround the container therein. The liquid in the container is rapidly chilled via heat transfer between the container wall and the coolant when the container is rotated within the compartment. The rotation may be performed manually, e.g., via a holding member and hand-crank attached to the top of the container, or automatically via an electric motor. The apparatus is particularly useful for chilling canned beverages. The apparatus can be configured to impart wobbling rotation to the container to achieve even faster chilling times.

Abstract: DVD reproducing apparatus which enables seamless images at a plurality of angles recorded on a DVD to simultaneously be watched or instantaneously be watched even if the images are switched. The frame memory of a DVD reproducing apparatus has m display data storage regions (m is an integer) corresponding to m different images to be displayed, as well as a first decoded data storage region and a second decoded data storage region in which decoded I pictures and P pictures, that is, the decoded image data, are stored.

Abstract: Picture data received in the order of DC components and AC components is stored in a frame memory 115. At this point, an ID number detecting portion 117 detects an ID of a sync block and sends the detected ID to an encoding portion 114. Corresponding to the ID, the encoding portion 114 determines whether or not data that is read from a frame memory 93 is a buffering unit that has been stored. Thus, when the read data is the buffering unit, the read data is output as it is. When the read data is not the buffering unit, gray data is output.