Abstract: A plurality of devices and a device system are disclosed, in which a plurality of input devices generate an input AV signal, a related device records and reproduces the AV signal, and a display device displays the AV signal. The input devices, the related device and the display device are interconnected to configure an AV system having a bus for transmitting or receiving the AV signal and management information. The related device of the AV system includes a recording medium for recording the AV signal, and the input devices transmit to the related device a request to secure a recording area on the recording medium.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: A digital information recording-reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces a digital information signal transmitted together with an additional information includes a discriminator which discriminates a type of the digital information signal based on the additional information, a recorder which generates control information based on the additional information, adds the control information to the digital information signal, and records the digital information signal having the control information added thereto, a reproducer which reproduces the recorded digital information signal recorded by the recorder, and a controller which controls reproduction based on the control information. When the discriminator discriminates the type of the digital information signal as being a specific type and the digital information signal is recorded by the recorder, the reproducer reproduces the digital information signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing video and audio information therein, comprising: an encrypting circuit for coping with a copyright management system, which adopts an encrypting method differing from each other depending on a region where it is used; and an input portion, through which information of the region of use is inputted, wherein an encrypting method of said encrypting circuit is selected, upon basis of said information of the region of use, which is obtained from said input portion, through which information of the region of use is inputted, thereby processing the video and audio information.

Abstract: A plurality of devices and a device system are disclosed, in which a plurality of input devices generate an input AV signal, a related device records and reproduces the AV signal, and a display device displays the AV signal. The input devices, the related device and the display device are interconnected to configure an AV system having a bus for transmitting or receiving the AV signal and management information. The related device of the AV system includes a recording medium for recording the AV signal, and the input devices transmit to the related device a request to secure a recording area on the recording medium.

Abstract: A digital information recording-reproducing apparatus for recording a digital information signal which includes a recording circuit for recording the digital information signal together with control information, and a reproducing circuit for detecting the recorded control information at a time the recorded digital information signal is to be reproduced, and reproducing the recorded digital information signal only if the detected control information satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: By introducing a new copy control system into video signals subjected to picture quality restriction satisfactory only in small-sized PMP displays, a new business model in which copyrighters, consumers and makers can have mutual prosperity is created. “A new copy control rule of prohibiting a video signal output with a picture quality equivalent to that at time of recording from being copied, but permitting a video signal sufficiently degraded in picture quality as compared with time of recording to be copied” is added to the copy-never, copy-one-generation, and copy-free states belonging to the conventional copy control rule. The quality for which the copyrighter can permit copying corresponds to half the current number of DVD pixels. If a quality restricting scheme of thinning out pixels to half compared with time of recording is used, therefore, needs of consumers desiring to enjoy PMPs are satisfied while protecting rights of copyrighters.

Abstract: A digital information recording apparatus to record digital information to protect copyright of digital information that includes at least first digital information and first copy control information. The digital information recording apparatus records the digital information based upon the first copy control information, which denotes one of: a copy inhibition prohibiting copying of said first digital information; a limited copy permission authorizing a predetermined number of times of copying of said first digital information; and an unlimited copy permission authorizing unlimited copying of said first digital information.

Abstract: A digital information recording-reproducing apparatus for recording a digital information signal which includes a recording circuit for recording the digital information signal together with control information, and a reproducing circuit for detecting the recorded control information at a time the recorded digital information signal is to be reproduced, and reproducing the recorded digital information signal only if the detected control information satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A digital information recording-reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing a digital information signal which includes a recording circuit for recording the digital information signal together with control information, and a reproducing circuit for detecting the recorded control information at a time the recorded digital information signal is to be reproduced, and reproducing the recorded digital information signal only if the detected control information satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for receiving and/or reproducing a digital signal, capable of efficiently recording a compressed, packeted digital signal and inhibiting a copy thereof. An input packet signal is added with a time stamp indicating a relative time of an arrival of the packet, and the packet signals of digital information with the added time stamps are recorded at reduced intervals therebetween. In reproducing, a packet interval adjusting circuit restores the original packet intervals in accordance with the time stamps, and then a time stamp change circuit changes at least one bit of the time stamp and thereafter outputs the digital information.

Abstract: An information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus has a main information reproducing system for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management system for managing the main information reproducing system for reproducing the main information. A receiver is provided with a unit for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing system provided with a reproduction disabling function for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for receiving and/or reproducing a digital signal, capable of efficiently recording a compressed, packeted digital signal and inhibiting a copy thereof. An input packet signal is added with a time stamp indicating a relative time of an arrival of the packet, and the packet signals of digital information with the added time stamps are recorded at reduced intervals therebetween. In reproducing, a packet interval adjusting circuit restores the original packet intervals in accordance with the time stamps, and then a time stamp change circuit changes at least one bit of the time stamp and thereafter outputs the digital information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information providing system. More particularly, this invention relates to an information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus. The information management apparatus comprises a main information reproducing means for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management means for managing the main information reproducing means for reproducing the main information. The present invention provides a receiving means provided with a means for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing means provided with a reproduction disabling means for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: Encrypting/decrypting conversion method and apparatus capable of controlling dynamically cyclic shift independent of data to undergo encrypting/decrypting conversion includes two or more different fixed circulating shift processing means for shifting cyclically the data by a fixed bit number leftward or rightward, a cyclic shift processing selecting means for selecting fixed cyclic shift processing means. The selecting sequence determined by the cyclic shift processing means is determined on the basis of data for determining the shift number selecting sequence.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: A digital information recording apparatus to record digital information to protect copyright of digital information that includes at least first digital information and first copy control information. The digital information recording apparatus records the digital information based upon the first copy control information, which denotes one of: a copy inhibition prohibiting copying of said first digital information; a limited copy permission authorizing a predetermined number of times of copying of said first digital information; and an unlimited copy permission authorizing unlimited copying of said first digital information.

Abstract: A plurality of devices and a device system are disclosed, in which a plurality of input devices generate an input AV signal, a related device records and reproduces the AV signal, and a display device displays the AV signal. The input devices, the related device and the display device are interconnected to configure an AV system having a bus for transmitting or receiving the AV signal and management information. The related device of the AV system includes a recording medium for recording the AV signal, and the input devices transmit to the related device a request to secure a recording area on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for receiving and/or reproducing a digital signal, capable of efficiently recording a compressed, packeted digital signal and inhibiting a copy thereof. An input packet signal is added with a time stamp indicating a relative time of an arrival of the packet, and the packet signals of digital information with the added time stamps are recorded at reduced intervals therebetween. In reproducing, a packet interval adjusting circuit restores the original packet intervals in accordance with the time stamps, and then a time stamp change circuit changes at least one bit of the time stamp and thereafter outputs the digital information.