Abstract: A relay apparatus (10) is provided with: an image output unit (11); switches (SWa, SWb); a control unit (16) for controlling switches; and an obtaining unit (16) for obtaining a first CEC address associated with the relay apparatus if the relay apparatus is connected to an output apparatus (30). The control unit controls switches to select a signal channel connecting a first signal transmitting device (14) and a storage apparatus (20) if the first CEC address and a reproduction command are received. After connecting the relay apparatus and a unit (40), the control unit controls switches to select the signal channel connecting the first signal transmitting device and a second signal transmitting device (15) if the unit is in a video output state, and controls switches to select the signal channel connecting the first signal transmitting device and the image output unit if the unit is in a standby state.

Abstract: A relay apparatus (10) is provided with a first signal transmitting device compliant with one second signal transmitting device compliant with another standard, a first obtaining device, a second obtaining device, a generating device and a controlling device. If the relay apparatus is connected to an output apparatus via the first signal transmitting device and is connected to a first unit via the second signal transmitting device, the first obtaining device obtains first information about the first unit; a second obtaining device obtains second information about a second unit connected to the output apparatus; a generating device generates third information that allows selection and operation of each of first and second units, on the basis of first and second information, and transmits the third information to the output apparatus; and a controlling device controls the first unit according to a command signal outputted from the output apparatus.

Abstract: A wobble determining apparatus is provided with: a calculating device for calculating (i) a first time required until reaching a number of revolutions of a motor which allows a predetermined linear velocity, and (ii) a second time required to move an optical head to a position which allows the predetermined linear velocity, on the basis of the number of revolutions of the motor and the position of the optical head; a judging device for judging whether to keep the optical head in accordance with the calculated first time and the calculated second time; and a controlling device for controlling a moving device not to move the optical head if it is judged to keep the optical head, and for controlling the moving device to move the optical head to the position which allows the predetermined linear velocity if it is judged not to keep the optical head.

Abstract: A recording medium is provided with: a guide layer on which a guide track or guide tracks are formed; and recording layers, wherein (i) an information mark group and (ii) a distinctive mark group are formed in the guide layer, the information mark group being formed on each of a plurality of guide tracks, the distinctive mark group distinguishing a center track out of the plurality of guide tracks on each of which the information mark group is formed, the distinctive mark group including a pair of distinctive record marks which are shifted toward a right side and a left side, respectively, from a track center of the center track, a width of each distinctive record mark is twice or more a width of the guide track.

Abstract: A recording medium is provided with: a guide layer on which a guide track or guide tracks are formed; and recording layers, wherein (i) an information mark group and (ii) a distinctive mark group are formed in the guide layer, the information mark group being formed on each of a plurality of guide tracks, the distinctive mark group distinguishing a center track out of the plurality of guide tracks on each of which the information mark group is formed, the distinctive mark group including a pair of distinctive record marks which are shifted toward a right side and a left side, respectively, from a track center of the center track, a width of each distinctive record mark is twice or more a width of the guide track.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing method includes: setting light beam power from a light source, to second power P2, which is weaker than first power P1, and detecting the number of the recording layers provided for an optical disc; controlling an objective lens to focus the light beam on one recording layer which is the closest to the objective lens, in a condition that the detected number of the recording layers ?3; setting the power of the light beam to third power P3, between P1 and P2; specifying the number of the recording layers provided for the optical disc on the basis of layer information, which is information associated with the one recording layer; and setting the power of the light beam to P1, reading the layer type information recorded in advance in the one recording layer, and specifying a disc type based on the read layer type information.