Abstract: Dividing devices are provided for dividing an input information signal into a plurality of frequency bands, and a level detector is provided for detecting a level of a noise component of the information signal divided by the dividing device. A plurality of thresholds corresponding to the divided information signals are stored in a memory. One or more thresholds are selected from the threshold stored in the memory based on a detected result by the level detector. Attenuators are provided for comparing the information signals with a selected threshold and for attenuating an information signal the level of which is lower than the selected threshold.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus reproduces a plurality of information pieces recorded on a recording medium. The apparatus has: a reading device for reading the information pieces from the recording medium in accordance with a predetermined reproduction order; a linking device for linking the information pieces read by the reading device with each other, by removing either or both of a beginning and an ending of each of the information pieces; and a converting device for converting the information pieces linked by the linking device into a reproduction signal to be supplied to an output device.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording record information on a plurality of information recording mediums consecutively is provided. The record information is comprised of a plurality of information units and has an entire time length necessary for recording which is longer than a recordable time length of an information recording medium. A plurality of recording devices record each of the information units on each of a plurality of information recording mediums based on a control signal. The same information units are recorded on each of a plurality of information recording mediums concurrently. At least part of an area of one information recording medium where the same information units as those recorded on another information recording medium are recorded is set as a free space which can be overwritten with different information units. The free space is overwritten with rest of the information units which are not recorded on the one information recording medium because of no capacity.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus is provided with: a music tone judging device for judging a music tone or genre of a music composition composed of an input audio signal: a selecting device for selecting one of a plurality of characteristics prepared in advance for each parameter used for a compression encoding method on the basis of a judgment result of the music tone judging device; and an encoding device for generating a spectrum signal out of the input audio signal and compression-encoding the generated spectrum signal on the basis of the selected characteristic.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving an information to be recorded on recording media, and the information includes a plurality of unit information. The first recording unit records the unit information successively on a first recording medium. The detecting unit detects dividing points of the unit information. The second recording unit records the unit information on a second recording medium. The second recording unit records the unit information from a recording start position of the second recording medium every time when the detecting unit detects the dividing points.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus for reproducing record information, which includes character information and main information, from a first record medium and recording the reproduced record information onto a second record medium so as to copy the record information from the first record medium to the second record medium, is provided with: a reading device for reading the character information and the main information from the first record medium; a memory device for storing the character information read by the reading device; a recording device for recording the main information onto the second record medium; and a control device for controlling the recording device to record the character information stored in the memory device onto the second record medium after the reading device has finished reading the main information from the first record medium and the recording device has finished recording the main information onto the second record medium.

Abstract: A mini disc (MD) player has the capability of displaying data without problems during playback. When plural mini discs should be played back consecutively, TOC (table of contents) data are read from all of these discs. Then, the discs are played back in succession. When compressed audio data derived from these discs are stored in a DRAM, a disc identification flag is added to every disc.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus for reproducing record information, which includes character information and main information, from a first record medium and recording the reproduced record information onto a second record medium so as to copy the record information from the first record medium to the second record medium, is provided with: a reading device for reading the character information and the main information from the first record medium; a memory device for storing the character information read by the reading device; a recording device for recording the main information onto the second record medium; and a control device for controlling the recording device to record the character information stored in the memory device onto the second record medium after the reading device has finished reading the main information from the first record medium and the recording device has finished recording the main information onto the second record medium.