Abstract: In a recording medium reproducing apparatus, a storage means in which reproduction limit information is stored is a rewritable non-volatile memory, and the recording medium reproducing apparatus includes a control unit which reads reproduction limit information from the non-volatile memory and compares this reproduction limit information with reproduction limit information recorded on a recording medium. Then, the reproduction limit information can be set under the condition that the reproduction limit information has not yet been set in the non-volatile memory. Broadcasting format information is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the control unit reads the broadcasting format information from the non-volatile memory and performs control in accordance with the broadcasting format indicated by the broadcasting format information.

Abstract: An image processor produces a cross-faded image from first and second image data and first and second control data. The cross-faded image corresponds to a product of the first image data and the first control data and a product of the second image data and the second control data. The image processor includes a first address generator which generates a first l-bit address signal made up of the upper (n-k.sub.1) bits of the first n-bit image data and the upper (m-k.sub.2) bits of the first m-bit control data. Similarly, a second address generator is provided which generates a second l-bit address signal made up of the upper (n-k.sub.1) bits of the second n-bit image data and the upper (m-k.sub.2) bits of the second m-bit control data. The number of bits l of each address signal is less than a sum of the bits n and m of each of the image data and control data. The first and second address signals are used to access a ROM which is used to generate corresponding first and second product data.

Abstract: A picture file system including a recording medium having a picture zone and a reduced picture zone divided therein. In a picture recording mode, a full-size picture data is recorded in the picture zone and a reduced picture of a predetermined data size corresponding to the full-size picture is recorded at a predetermined address in the reduced picture zone. In a picture retrieval mode, a plurality of the reduced pictures of the predetermined data size recorded at their predetermined addresses in the reduced picture zone are sequentially reproduced and displayed at the same time.

Abstract: In an optical disc device including an optical disc, a device for selectively processing and recording on the optical disc analog and digital input signals includes analog modulation circuitry for receiving analog input signals and producing modulated analog output signals, block forming circuitry for receiving digital input signals, partitioning the digital input signals into sectors containing sector data, adding error code data to each sector, and producing sector data signals, and digital modulation circuitry for receiving the sector data signals, digitally modulating the sector data signals to suppress low-frequency components, encoding the sector data signals, and producing encoded modulated digital output signals.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a semiconductor laser in an apparatus for recording/playback of data utilizing an optical recording medium includes circuit elements for establishing recording and playback operating conditions respectively in which output light levels from the laser are set to suitable values for recording and playback, and for controlling the laser output light levels during recording and playback operation at fixed values, and moreover for modulating the laser output light in accordance with a recording signal during recording operation. A changeover control signal which executes changeover between the recording and playback conditions is derived such as to begin in coincidence with the start of a leading pulse of a series of recording signal pulses, and to end immediately following the final recording signal pulse, to thereby avoid excessive laser drive current levels following changeover between playback and recording operating conditions.