Abstract: An audio-feature analyzer automatically detects points of change in audio signals to be processed. A central processing unit (CPU) obtains point-of-change information indicating positions of the points of change in the audio signals, and the point-of-change information is recorded on a data storage device. The CPU identifies point-of-change information in accordance with an instruction input by a user via a key operation unit, and audio data corresponding to the point-of-change information identified is located so that processing such as playback of audio data to be processed can be started therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having a microphone, an analog to digital converting circuit, a semiconductor memory, input device, and a controller. The analog to digital converting circuit converts an output signal from the microphone into a digital signal. The semiconductor memory stores the output signal from the analog to digital converting circuit. The input device at least carry out input of a record start and a record end. The controller, according to the input from the input device, carries out operation control for start and stop of writing into the semiconductor memory a digital signal from the analog to digital converting circuit. When the input device is operated and a predetermined time interval has passed, the controller controls to start writing the digital signal from the analog/digital conversion circuit into the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having a microphone, an analog to digital converting circuit, a semiconductor memory, input device, and a controller. The analog to digital converting circuit converts an output signal from the microphone into a digital signal. The semiconductor memory stores the output signal from the analog to digital converting circuit. The input device at least carry out input of a record start and a record end. The controller, according to the input from the input device, carries out operation control for start and stop of writing into the semiconductor memory a digital signal from the analog to digital converting circuit. When the input device is operated and a predetermined time interval has passed, the controller controls to start writing the digital signal from the analog/digital conversion circuit into the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: An apparatus having a microphone, an analog to digital converting circuit, a semiconductor memory an, input device, and a controller, wherein the analog to digital converting circuit converts an output signal from the microphone into a digital signal. The semiconductor memory stores the output signal from the analog to digital converting circuit, and the input device carries out input of a record start and a record end. The controller, according to the input from the input device, carries out control to start and stop writing into the semiconductor memory a digital signal from the analog to digital converting circuit. When the input device is operated and a predetermined time interval has passed, the controller starts writing the digital signal from the analog/digital conversion circuit into the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus operable to move data that is coded and managed for copyright protection after evaluation an encryption key and permitting its movement based on a result of the evaluation, to copy data that is recorded in a server to a terminal apparatus, and, cause the terminal apparatus itself to reproduce the data and, where a terminal apparatus is connected to the server to, render data on the server reproducible.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to make it possible to move data that is coded and managed for copyright protection after evaluating an encryption key and permitting its movement based on a result of the evaluation, as well as to make it possible to copy data that is recorded in a server to a terminal apparatus and cause the terminal apparatus itself to reproduce the data and, where a terminal apparatus is connected to the server, render data on the server reproducible.

Abstract: Over the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate body containing an impurity of a predetermined conduction type, there is formed an epitaxial layer which contains an impurity of the same conduction type as that of the former impurity and the same concentration as the designed one of the former impurity. After this, there are formed a well region which has the same conduction type as that of said impurity and its impurity concentration gradually lowered depthwise of said epitaxial layer. The well region is formed with the gate insulating films of MIS•FETs.

Abstract: A knee-protecting airbag device is located below a steering column in front of a driver and, at a lower side of a key cylinder into which an ignition key with accessories is inserted. The airbag device includes a housing located below the steering column for housing an airbag and an airbag. The airbag is folded and housed in the housing in undeployed condition, and upon inflow of inflation gas, protrudes rearward from the housing to deploy upward to protect knees of the driver. The airbag is provided in its upper edge in completely deployed condition with a cover portion for covering vehicle's rearward of an area proximate to the key cylinder. The airbag is further provided with a flexible reinforcing cloth to be located in a part of the cover portion to contact the key accessories as the key is inserted into the key cylinder. The airbag is protected by the reinforcing cloth even if it contacts with the key accessories upon deployment.

Abstract: Over the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate body containing an impurity of a predetermined conduction type, there is formed an epitaxial layer which contains an impurity of the same conduction type as that of the former impurity and the same concentration as the designed one of the former impurity. After this, there are formed a well region which has the same conduction type as that of said impurity and its impurity concentration gradually lowered depthwise of said epitaxial layer. The well region is formed with the gate insulating films of MIS·FETs.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus and method, the method comprising the steps of comprising recording a plurality of files and number-of-reproduction-times limitation information thereof, selecting a desired file from the plurality of files stored in the memory, and comparing whether the number-of-reproduction-times limitation information allows for reproduction of the selected file. The method further comprises the steps of counting the reproduced elapsed duration of the selected file and comparing whether the reproduced elapsed duration exceeds a predetermined value. The number-of-reproduction-times limitation information stored in the memory is edited when the reproduced elapsed duration exceeds the predetermined value to reduce the number of times the selected file may be subsequently be reproduced.

Abstract: Over the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate body containing an impurity of a predetermined conduction type, there is formed an epitaxial layer which contains an impurity of the same conduction type as that of the former impurity and the same concentration as the designed one of the former impurity. After this, there are formed a well region which has the same conduction type as that of said impurity and its impurity concentration gradually lowered depthwise of said epitaxial layer. The well region is formed with the gate insulating films of MIS·FETs.

Abstract: A memory controller for reading data stored in a nonvolatile memory that includes a number of erasable blocks containing a number of pages. A logical/physical address control table stored in a logical/physical address control table block of the nonvolatile memory is searched, read, and manipulated in the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory including a logical/physical address control table for controlling data recorded discretely in the non-volatile memory composed of a plurality of blocks each serving as a data deletion unit and including adjacent pages which each have a fixed length and serve as a data read/write unit. An operand data block includes operand identification data that indicates data stored in the operand data block is, in fact, operand data. The logical/physical control table block located in the non-volatile memory includes control-table identification data that indicates that data that is stored therein is, in fact, control table data that includes logical addresses and physical addresses.

Abstract: In an ultrahigh-speed clock extraction circuit wherein a local pulse generating light source 22 for generating a local optical pulse stream synchronized in bit phase with an input optical signal pulse stream is placed in a phase-locked loop, when repetition frequencies of the input optical signal pulse stream and the local optical pulse stream bear a particular relationship, a frequency demultiplier 32 and multipliers 43 and 52 are set so that the frequency of a modulation signal for an optical modulator 41 and a frequency which is a natural-number multiple of the modulation signal frequency, and the frequency of a down-converted version of an optical pulse stream output from a photodetector 42 differ from each other.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from a record medium having a program area and a management area, the program area being used for recording a plurality of files, the management area being used for managing forging prohibition information against a particular file recorded in the program area is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a calculating means for calculating the forging prohibition information managed in the management area of the record medium whenever a file recorded in the recorde medium is reproduced, a comparing means for comparing a value calculated by the calculating means corresponding to a former reproduction command with a value calculated by the calculating means corresponding to a current reproduction command, and a controlling means for permitting the file corresponding to the current reproduction command to be reproduced when the value calculated corresponding to the former reproduction command is the same as the value calculated corresponding to the current reproduction comm

Abstract: There is provided a WDM optical transmission system and transmission method that have excellent spectral efficiency. The WDM optical transmission system is provided with: an optical transmitting section having an optical transmitter that generates N wave (wherein N is an integer of 2 or greater) optical signals with an optical frequency spacing &Dgr;f [Hz] and modulated by a modulation bit rate B [bit/s] (wherein B/&Dgr;f≦1 [bit/s/Hz]) using a modulation device, and having a coupler that couples the optical signals; an optical receiving section provided with an optical DFT circuit of a sampling frequency &Dgr;f [Hz] that is equal to the optical frequency spacing; and a bit phase adjustor that makes bit phases of respective wavelength division multiplexed signals synchronous at an input of the optical DFT circuit.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a non-volatile memory including a logical/physical address control table for controlling data recorded discretely in the non-volatile memory composed of a plurality of blocks each serving as a data deletion unit and comprising adjacent pages which each have a fixed length and serve as a data read/write unit, and to provide a recording apparatus as well as a recording method for generating control data cataloged in the logical/physical address control table and used in making an access to the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to simplify work to edit sub data by: recording one or a plurality of main data, recording management data for controlling the main data, recording one or a plurality of sub data related to the main data and sub management data for controlling the sub data on a recording medium; and linking the sub data and the sub management data so that they can be referenced from the management data.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting character data into audio data form includes a storage unit for storing the character data supplied, an operating unit manipulated by the user, and a control unit responsive to the entry of command from the operating unit for producing indicator data indicative of unwanted portions of the character data which are not required for conversion to audio data, comparing the indicator data with the character data read out from the storage unit, and converting the portion of the character data not corresponding to the indicator data into its audio data form. As the character data read out from the storage unit has been compared with the indicator data not indicative of the unwanted portions of the character data required for conversion to audio data, its dedicated portion not corresponding to the indicator data is converted into its audio data form.

Abstract: Over the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate body containing an impurity of a predetermined conduction type, there is formed an epitaxial layer which contains an impurity of the same conduction type as that of the former impurity and the same concentration as the designed one of the former impurity. After this, there are formed a well region which has the same conduction type as that of said impurity and its impurity concentration gradually lowered depthwise of said epitaxial layer The well region is formed with the gate insulating films of MIS·FETs.