Abstract: A media reader for a removable digital storage medium, such as a memory stick for a digital camera, has a housing and a media reading unit, contained within the housing, into which the removable digital storage medium is inserted for reading data. The media reader also includes a manual manipulation unit for selecting a predetermined function to be communicated to a peripheral device, where the manipulation unit has different size buttons corresponding to each predetermined function, wherein the size of each button varies based on a frequency of use of the function. A signal indicative of the selected predetermined function is communicated by a controller to the peripheral device, which causes an application program in the peripheral device to be automatically commenced to perform the selected predetermined function, the application program in the peripheral device performing the selected predetermined function, including obtaining data from the removable digital storage medium.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for providing image processing services and deriving revenue from such services as well as revenue from placement of advertising information passed on to users. A local image service center connected to a server computing system, offers services for uploading image data from a storage medium to local and/or remote storage as well as other services for processing uploaded image data. Access to uploaded image data is available via a cable television system. Revenue is derived from the services provided as well as from advertisers whose information is passed along to users.

Abstract: A media reader for a removable digital storage medium, such as a memory stick for a digital camera. The media reader has a housing having at least a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a media reading unit, contained within the housing, into which the removable digital storage medium is inserted for reading data contained thereon, the media reading unit having at least a proximal end adjacent the proximal end of the housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end of the media reading unit, the distal end having a connector for electrically connecting the media reading unit and the removable digital storage medium.

Abstract: A system comprising a recording apparatus including an audio input portion and a recording portion capable of recording an audio signal from the audio input portion on a recording medium, and an audio memory unit detachably attached to the recording apparatus, wherein the memory unit includes a memory capable of storing the audio signal from the audio input portion, and the recording apparatus is arranged to record also the audio signal read out from the memory on the recording medium by the recording portion, thereby making it possible to record a wide variety of audio signals of different kinds on the recording medium in desired timing. Also, this memory unit is utilized to make it possible that in application to the apparatus for recording video signals and audio signals in superimposed relation, the video signal is rewritten only in itself.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording an information signal on a recording medium is arranged to be controlled according to control information read out from an external storage device which is attachable and detachable to and from the recording apparatus, so that the apparatus is not only simply operable but also has diverse functions. One of the features of the apparatus lies in that the timing of start or stop of recording can be synchronized with that of a signal combining action or a signal fade-in or fade-out action.

Abstract: In a system for reading out an information signal stored in a memory and recording it on a recording medium, renewal of the address of the memory is performed in synchronism with the recording operation, thereby making it possible to record the information signal on the recording medium continuously despite intermittent performance of recording. The address of the memory is returned by a predetermined amount in synchronism with renewal of the address of the memory or the recording operation. Thereby it is also possible to assure good continuity of the recorded information signals. Further, the above-described processing is made easier by making the address of the memory controllable in units of track on the recording medium.

Abstract: A video system is constructed of an auxiliary unit and a primary unit. The auxiliary unit includes a memory for storing a plurality of image data corresponding to an area occupying a portion of one picture, a plurality of location data indicative of the respective locations of the plurality of image data in the one picture and a plurality of color data indicative of respective colors relative to the plurality of image data. The primary unit includes an inputting circuit for inputting a first color video signal, a forming circuit for forming a second color video signal according to the plurality of image data, the plurality of location data and the plurality of color data which are supplied from the auxiliary unit and a combining circuit for combining the first video signal with the second video signal. The video system is capable of producing a variety of comined images with a relatively small memory capacity.