Abstract: The receiving apparatus of the present invention includes: a reception unit which receives a broadcast; an output unit which outputs a service included in the received broadcast; an execution unit which executes an application program included in the received broadcast; an extraction unit which extracts, from service information included in the received broadcast, a font identifier which is information for identifying font data corresponding to the service; a switch detection unit which detects that a currently outputted service is switched; a connection unit which adopts, as font data to be used by the application program, font data identified by the font identifier corresponding to the currently outputted service that is detected; and a rendering unit which renders the font data to be used by the application program.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for delivering and processing relational metadata in a television system. A client is configured to receive a broadcast signal and relational metadata which corresponds to received programming. The received relational metadata includes information which identifies two sets of data and a relationship between them. Upon identifying the data indicated by the relational metadata and determining the indicated relationship, the client is configured to perform a predetermined action which corresponds to the received relational metadata and the identified data sets. The receiver includes, or is coupled to, a mass storage device configured to store received relational metadata and programming.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a digital encoder which receives a first analogue video signal with ancillary information in a given time window and generates on an output a digital stream based on the first analogue video signal. A digital decoder is connectable to this output to generate a second analogue video signal. A switch selects between the first analogue video signal and the second analogue video signal as an output depending on a control signal based on the occurrence of said time window.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a digital receiving apparatus for providing useful information to its user without interruption when reception quality deteriorates. It includes: an information separating unit 4 for reproducing a stream of demodulation signal S3, and separating it into stream signals S4 on multiplexed respective channels for output; a decoding unit 5 for decoding and outputting the stream signals S4; and a control unit 6 for switching and controlling a stream signal for the decoding unit 5 to decode out of the stream signals on the respective channels, and the control unit 6 switches to the stream signal on another channel and makes the decoding unit 5 decode it when physical information for indicating reception quality under reception and the data type of the stream signal on the channel selected out of the channels do not conform to a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus including a display comprises a filter for receiving a video signal containing video information and ancillary information related to the video information and having a predetermined frequency. The filter passes a component corresponding to the frequency of the video signal. An ancillary information extractor extracts the ancillary information from the video signal passed by the filter. A video processor processes the video signal so that the ancillary information extracted by the ancillary information extractor is displayed on the display. The video processing apparatus is able to enhance the reliability of ancillary information extraction by removing the influence of noise.

Abstract: A broadcasting data receiving apparatus which can receive broadcasting data and update software by using software update data received as the broadcasting data includes a receiving portion operable to receive broadcasting data, a video/audio processing portion operable to process video data included in the received broadcasting data for video display and audio data included in the received broadcasting data for audio output based on stored software, an operation input portion operable to receive a user operation, and a control portion operable to (i) control the processing in the video/audio processing portion, (ii) perform software update processing on a necessary component by using received software update data if the received broadcasting data includes the software update data, and (iii) perform minimal display processing or minimal audio output processing in the video/audio processing portion if the operation input portion receives a user operation to start the apparatus during execution of the update pro

Abstract: A display apparatus is provided that comprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for converting an analog image signal containing additional information into digital data in accordance with a digital format, a vertical blanking interval (VBI) data processor for extracting VBI data corresponding to the additional information from the digital data input from the A/D converter, and a controller for decoding the extracted VBI data into additional information display data for displaying.

Abstract: A method for decoding a Manchester-II encoded DISPLAYPORT compatible signal is provided. In this method, several counters are reset. A unit interval (UI) counter is incremented for each UI received upon receipt of a valid UI, and the value of the UI counter is compared to a plurality of threshold values after the UI counter is incremented. When the value of the UI counter exceeds each of the threshold values, for each clock cycle, a sum counter is incremented corresponding to the exceeded threshold value, and a plurality of window lengths are calculated, where each window is calculated based at least in part on the value of one of the sum counters at predetermined values of the UI counter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telop display system includes an extracting module which extracts a telop region identified as an image of a telop from video image information of a television program, an image analyzing module which performs image analysis related to coordinates, a size, and a color scheme of the telop region extracted by the extracting module, a semantic analyzing module which performs text analysis related to a word class and a meaning of the obtained character string, and a classifying module which classifies the telop on the basis of an analysis result of at least one of the image analysis and the text analysis to accumulate character strings of the telops as items of text information classified in units of categories.

Abstract: A design structure for systems for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, and includes: a system for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals, the system including: a microcontroller; a chooser for setting a primary signal from a plurality of program-variable signals; a monitor tuner coupled to the microcontroller for tuning the primary signal during switching of the displayed signal from the primary signal to a secondary signal; a detector coupled to the monitor tuner and the microcontroller for detecting a predetermined condition in the primary signal; and a selector coupled to the microcontroller for switching the displayed signal from the secondary signal to the primary signal upon occurrence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: A decoding apparatuses and a method utilized in an optical storage device are disclosed. The decoding apparatus includes: a level slicer for setting a plurality of adjustable boundary values to distinguish a plurality of signal regions, and outputting a set of state values in accordance with signal regions corresponding to an input value; and a Viterbi detector coupled to the level slicer for decoding a transmission data according to the state value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method are provided for enhancing the picture quality of images by extracting additional information from non-standard signals without an error. A signal determination unit receives an image signal including an image interval containing an image and an additional information interval containing additional information regarding the image. A determination is made as to whether the additional information exists in the additional information interval. An additional information extractor extracts and outputs the additional information from the additional information interval, if the signal determination unit determines that the additional information exists in the additional information interval.

Abstract: A fully customizable system and method for producing videos utilizing a “front-end” and/or a “two-step” decentralized business model for receiving input parameters from the customer or user and for presenting production elements for selection based on the input parameters. The system providing feedback by calculating total price, production time and required raw video source material as the customer or user makes production element selections. The customer or user is further provided with specific direction as to which and how many raw source materials are to be gathered for the video production.

Abstract: A video processing method for selectively processing character information (Ic) included in an inputted video stream (Svc). The video stream (Svc) is separated in units of frame into a brightness frame (Y) representing brightness information (VY) and a plurality of color difference frames (Cb, Cr) representing color difference information (VCb, VCr). Character information (Ic) included according to at least either of the brightness information (VY) and the color difference information (VCb, VCr) is recognized. The recognized character information (Ic) is subjected to a processing by at least one of deletion, movement, and enlargement.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes a memory to store auxiliary video data therein; a data updating unit to transmit the auxiliary video data to be updated to the memory at a first transmission speed and update the auxiliary video data; a data processing unit having a second transmission speed which is slower than the first transmission speed, as a speed of data transmission to the memory, to read out the auxiliary video data stored in the memory and output it as overlapped with predetermined video data; a switching unit to connect either of the data updating unit or the data processing unit to the memory; and a control unit to control the switching unit so that the data updating unit is connected to the memory, when the data updating unit updates the auxiliary video data. Accordingly, the loading speed of the auxiliary video data can be enhanced.

Abstract: A primary broadcast receiver is automatically tuned by a secondary broadcast receiver receiving a first broadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program by program transition detectors detecting monochrome interprogram dead frame or closed captioning for the hearing impaired text words according to user-specified tune conditions; by a tuner controller enabling the secondary broadcast receiver and a program transition detector to begin monitoring a first broadcast signal currently tuned by the primary broadcast receiver, while allowing tuning of the primary broadcast receiver by a user, and by automatically tuning the primary broadcast receiver to the first broadcast signal upon signal by the program transition detector that one or more of the user-specific tune conditions have been met.

Abstract: A video signal processing system for slicing binary data transmitted in a video signal is provided, comprising a synchronous separator, a line counter, a slicing signal generator and a comparator. The synchronous separator detects Hsync and Vsync carried in the video signal. The line counter generates an enable signal by counting the number of scanning lines based on the detected Hsync and Vsync, wherein the enable signal is activate when the video signal carrying teletext and/or other binary data. The slicing signal generator further comprises an extreme value detector determining local maximum values and local minimum values of the video signal, and a slicing level determiner generating an adaptive slicing signal based on the local maximum values and the local minimum values. The comparator enabled by the enable signal compares the video signal with the slicing signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for modifying video signals. The system may comprise at least one decoder that decodes a video signal that comprises embedded picture setting data, and a video processor that is adapted to detect whether the system is operating in an on-screen display (“OSD”) mode, apply the embedded picture setting data if the system is not in the OSD mode, and withhold the embedded picture setting data if the system is in the OSD mode. The method may comprise the acts of decoding a video signal that comprises embedded picture setting data, detecting whether a system is operating in the OSD mode, applying the embedded picture setting data if the system is not in the OSD mode, and withholding the embedded picture setting data if the system is in the OSD mode.

Abstract: A caption detection system wherein all detected caption boxes over time for one caption area are identical, thereby reducing temporal instability and inconsistency. This is achieved by grouping candidate pixels in the 3D spatiotemporal space and generating a 3D bounding box for one caption area. 2D bounding boxes are obtained by slicing the 3D bounding boxes, thereby reducing temporal instability as all 2D bounding boxes corresponding to a caption area are sliced from one 3D bounding box and are therefore identical over time.

Abstract: Systems for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a microcontroller; a chooser for choosing a primary signal from a plurality of program-variable signals at the microcontroller; a monitor tuner coupled to the microcontroller for tuning the primary signal during switching of the displayed signal from the primary signal to a secondary signal; a detector coupled to the monitor tuner and the microcontroller for detecting a predetermined condition in the primary signal; and a selector coupled to the microcontroller for switching the displayed signal from the secondary signal to the primary signal upon occurrence of the predetermined condition. A user can switch between signals such as television channels or other dedicated functions without the risk of missing a portion of the program material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customization in asymmetric communication are disclosed. An excess of information is broadcast from a transmitter to multiple receivers in what is optionally a one-way transmission. The excess of information includes metadata used to select which subset of the excess of information is presented to a user and which subset of the excess of information is discarded. The metadata includes criteria that are compared with various, possibly different, customization factors stored on each of the multiple receivers. This comparison is used to determine which subsets of the excess information are presented and which are discarded. Because the customization factors can be different on different receivers, customization of the presented information is achieved. The customization factors optionally include geographic information resulting in customization based on a receiver location. The excess information optionally includes radio or television signals.

Abstract: Digital audio data which have a predetermined packet structure are divided into units including a predetermined number of bits; each unit of the divided digital audio data is converted into specific data to be encoded; the encoded data are arranged in blanking intervals of video data; the digital audio data are transmitted as well as the video data using a transmission line for the video data, and the video data and the audio data may be simultaneously and favorably transmitted, adopting an existing video-data transmission format such as the DVI standard.

Abstract: In a digital television broadcast signal receiver (TV receiver), when closed caption information of digital TV (DTV-CC) is detected, a DTV-CC logo (first annunciation image) 31 is displayed with superimposing on an image of TV program for announcing that the DTV-CC is included in the digital TV signal, and when closed caption information of NTSC (NTSC-CC) is detected, an NTSC-CC logo (second annunciation image) 32 is displayed with superimposing on the image of TV program for announcing that the NTSC-CC is included in the digital TV signal. Thus, a user can easily recognize whether the DTV-CC and/or NTSC-CC are/is included in the digital TV signal or not.

Abstract: An on-screen display is generated for an MPEG compliant receiver. Externally of the MPEG compliant receiver, an MPEG transport stream is accessed, first data in the accessed MPEG transport stream is replaced with second data that relates to the data to be provided in the on-screen display, and the MPEG transport stream with the second data is remodulated as an RF signal. The RF signal is forwarded to the MPEG compliant receiver. The first data can be close caption data, and the second data can be installation and/or configuration menu data.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a method for managing the consistency of service lists broadcasted by a digital television network, the service lists containing parameters corresponding to each broadcasted services and being received in a television receiver and stored in a memory, wherein, it comprises the step of the method wherein it comprises the step of triggering a consistency check between said at least one customized list of services and the downloaded update of a list of services available to the receiver, the moment for triggering being chosen by an application in said receiver, so as not to disrupt receiver use by said check. The invention can be used in the field of digital television. The invention concerns also the receiver using the method.

Abstract: A television signal receiving apparatus receives television signals including broadcast data signals and outputs the received data signals to a display device. The display device displays an image that has characters and/or pictures generated from the data signals. A communication unit of the receiving apparatus is connected to and communicates with an external device. A control unit controls the image to be displayed on the display device according to results of communication with the communication unit.

Abstract: An improvement information generating unit (11) generates a plurality of types of improvement information for improving the image quality of an image (broadcast image) broadcast as a program. An integrating unit (12) embeds one or more of the plurality of types of improvement information generated by the improvement information generating unit (11) into the broadcast image, thus integrating the improvement information with the broadcast image, and outputs an integrated signal. The integrated signal is transmitted via a transmitting unit (13). Thus, images of various image qualities are provided.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes: a line-based data encoder for performing line-based data encoding on an input signal to generate a line-based data encoded signal; and a video signal controller coupled to the line-based data encoder for receiving a first video signal and the line-based data encoded signal, decoding the line-based data encoded signal to generate a second video signal, and choosing one of the first and second video signals to generate an output signal.

Abstract: A unique test pattern is used for measuring timing parameters of RGBHV analog video signals. For horizontal timing a horizontal line includes within an active video region left and right portions at a first level and a central portion at a second level, the left, right and central portions having a defined percentage relationship to the number of pixels of the horizontal line within the active video region. Also optionally included are left and right border portions just prior to and just after the left and right portions respectively. Measurements are done in pixels for the horizontal line from a horizontal sync pulse to each transition of the unique test pattern, and the horizontal timing parameters are derived from such measurements.

Abstract: A digital television signal receiver (20) processes a digital television signal and auxiliary information contained in the digital television signal regardless of whether the auxiliary information is analog auxiliary information (36) or digital auxiliary information (34) and produces a television display signal (44) suitable for displaying the processed auxiliary information. In the case of the auxiliary information being closed caption information, the digital television signal receiver extracts and processes digital closed captioning information according to standard EIA-708 or extracts and processes analog closed caption information according to standard EIA-608. The television signal processing receiver thus allows the user the option of selecting a fallback method of obtaining captioning for a digital program signal if the digital program signal does not include digital closed captioning.

Abstract: An image data decoding method of an image vertical blanking interval (VBI) and device thereof can adjust a run-in clock signal of data lines of teletext to a data phase of teletext data lines. The method can accurately decode data of the teletext data lines to avoid a phase bias and an erroneous decoding result. A main technical method to decode the data of the VBI is to extract the data of the teletext data lines to determine corresponding bit logical values of the image data and then to output a decode result and also output a phase adjustment value. The phase adjustment value is used to adjust a read phase value of the extracted image so as to synchronize a data phase in VBI.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method included in or embodied as a television signal receiver synchronizes auxiliary data with an auxiliary video output signal for appropriately inserting closed captioning into the auxiliary video signal. In one form, the television signal receiver correlates a main video signal with the auxiliary video signal in order to ascertain when and/or where to insert the auxiliary data in to the auxiliary video signal. In an exemplary manner, the field information between a video portion of a main television signal and a video portion of an auxiliary output television signal is tracked for determining field inversion between the two.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a caption in a video signal associated with a Region Of Interest (ROI), such as a face or text, or an area of high motion activity. The video signal is processed to generate ROI location information, the ROI location information conveying the position of the ROI in at least one video frame. The position where a caption can be located within one or more frames of the video signal is then determined on the basis of the ROI location information. This is done by identifying at least two possible positions for the caption in the frame such that the placement of the caption in either one of the two positions will not mask the ROI. A selection is then made among the at least two possible positions. The position picked is the one that would typically be the closest to the ROI such as to create a visual association between the caption and the ROI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting copy protection included in an input video signal is described. Two types of copy protection are particularly addressed, including techniques that imbed copy protection pulses and copy protection phase flips in the video signal. A method for preserving copy protection is also presented, where the input video signal is first examined to determine if copy protection has been included in the input video signal. The input video signal then converted to component video data, which removes any copy protection present. An output video signal is then generated from the component video data, and when it was determined that the input video signal includes copy protection, the copy protection is recreated in the output video signal.

Abstract: A digital video signal processing apparatus and method for detecting data in a vertical blanking interval (VBI) includes a re-sampler generating, from input video data, first re-sample data at a VBI data rate and second re-sample data with a data rate twice as high as the VBI data rate, a signal tracking unit tracking an existence of a clock run-in and a phase of the clock run-in from the second re-sample data and calculating an average of the clock run-in, and a slicer determining a logical value of the first re-sample data according to the average of the clock run-in and outputting the determined logical value as VBI data, wherein the re-sampler determines a compensation phase from the tracked phase of the clock run-in, re-samples the input video data according to the compensation phase with the VBI data rate and generates the first re-sample data.

Abstract: A data slicer 300 includes a slice level calculation unit 310 that determines whether a detected digital video signal is a CRI signal on the basis of the amplitude of the signal, and sets a reference slice level and upper and lower slice levels which are obtained by providing offset in the reference slice level, by using only the CRI signal; a data slicing unit 160 that binarizes a digital video signal S140 using the slice levels; a decoding circuit 170 that converts binarized serial data into parallel data; and a data selection unit 320 that selects data including no error from the decoded data, and outputs the selected data through a video signal output terminal 190. Therefore, even when the video signal is distorted, this data slicer can set appropriate slice level data to binarize the video signal, thereby suppressing the occurrence rate of decoding errors.

Abstract: A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data broadcasting guidance system and method which guides a user and enhances the availability of the data broadcasting. The data broadcasting guidance system includes means for extracting guidance information while a data broadcasting is displayed; means for requesting a guidance on the data broadcasting; and means for notifying the extracted guidance information in response to the request from the requesting means. Accordingly, the guidance information to navigate the data broadcasting is supplied and the remote controller is controlled more exactly and faster so that the user's attention is drawn to the data broadcasting and the broadcast gets popular.

Abstract: A text subtitle decoder includes a text subtitle processor, a text renderer, and a presentation controller. The text subtitle processor parses a text subtitle stream into text data and reproduction control information, where the text data represent a subtitle text to be displayed within a text subtitle region. After the text subtitle stream is parsed, the text renderer renders the text data into bitmap data using the reproduction control information. The presentation controller controls operations of the text subtitle processor and the text renderer.

Abstract: A system for dynamically transmitting network alert system (NAS) information from a television network to an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal includes a program data server configured to provide network alert system (NAS) data, a network video programming source configured to provide network video programming, a data inserter configured to insert the NAS data into vertical ancillary (VANC) space of a high definition television (HDTV) signal to develop a combined network video programming and NAS data signal, and a transmission facility configured to transmit the combined network video programming and NAS data signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an OSD display apparatus that prevents even a local OSD display from being blended with a surrounding background image. To implement this, the OSD display apparatus that superimposes an image or a character on a display image as an OSD display comprises an OSD generation circuit 11 for generating an OSD signal that is information on the OSD display, an extraction circuit 12 for extracting information on the hue of an OSD surrounding area on the display image, a hue comparison circuit 13 for comparing the information extracted by the extraction circuit 12 with the hue of the OSD signal generated by the OSD generation circuit 11, and a hue control circuit 14 for controlling the hue of the OSD signal based on the comparison result of the hue comparison circuit 13.

Abstract: A method of using additional information at a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) receiver is provided. The method includes the steps of: extracting and displaying additional information from a DMB signal; selecting and storing a desired one of the displayed additional information; displaying a list of the stored additional information depending on a user's request command; and outputting additional information selected at the list of the additional information.

Abstract: A microprocessor in a digital broadcast receiver outputs image data displaying a menu in a sub-screen when instructed by a user to display the menu: if received broadcast signals are those of an HD broadcast, and if the image format of a television, to which data are output, is 1080i or higher, and further if the screen size of the television, to which data are output, is 37 inch or larger; namely if characters in the menu are unlikely to be corrupted even when the television displays the menu in the sub-screen, and if there is no possibility that characters in the menu become too small to be identifiable. Thereby, it becomes possible for the television to display the menu in the sub-screen if the user can identify characters in the menu even when the television displays the menu in the sub-screen. Accordingly, the user can input setting of menu items while watching broadcast images.

Abstract: A system for automatically tuning a primary broadcast receiver using a secondary broadcast receiver to receive a first broadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program, one or more program transition detectors to monitor first broadcast signal tuned by the secondary broadcast receiver to determine and signal a transition from a non-original program content to origin program content while a user views or hears alternate programming from a primary broadcast receiver, and automatically tuning of the primary broadcast receiver to the first broadcast signal upon detection by the program transition detector that one or more of user-specific tune conditions have been met.

Abstract: A system as described herein enables a user to access auxiliary information when viewing an enhanced performance television signal or program. Particularly, a television signal system is operative, configured, and/or enabled to allow a user to access and/or utilize auxiliary information when viewing a high definition or progressive-scan television signal. Briefly, an exemplary television signal system receives the auxiliary information/data (e.g. closed caption data) on a selected interlaced standard definition input, processes the auxiliary data, and combines or overlays the auxiliary data with a television (video) signal received on a selected input that does not have its own embedded auxiliary information/data.

Abstract: A file for storing digital data with high compression rate stores digital data for video and audio signals in multiple streams interleaved with each other. Each track has a stream descriptor list and a stream data list. The stream descriptor list includes a stream header chunk, a stream format chunk, and a stream name chunk. For a video stream, the stream descriptor list also includes a stream header data chunk if the video stream is under digital rights management (DRM) protection. The file format is compatible with high level data compressing algorithms, such as MPEG-4, which provide data compression ratio about six to ten times higher than a standard DVD format.

Abstract: A system for the automatic collection of closed caption text wherein broadcast source of closed caption text are received by a tuner, then decoded and a text handler writes text files. A remote inquiry client is operably connected to the tuner and a server, to push the text files from the inquiry client to the server. A previously submitted search profile originated by the inquiry client is automatically compared with the text files and parsed to create a inquiry client search result, and the useful inquiry client is then automatically contacted regarding the search result.

Abstract: A method for presenting closed captioning text on device display screens, the method includes: receiving a continuous flow of audio video (A/V) content information; separating closed captioning information from video content contained in the A/V content information flow; accumulating the closed captioning information in a first memory buffer; displaying the video content without the closed captioning information to form a first video snippet; determining one of the following video mode conditions: whether a first time limit for viewing the video snippet been exceeded, whether the capacity of the first memory buffer for the closed captioning been exceeded, and whether a closed caption command to display the accumulated closed captioning been received; wherein in the event one or more of the video mode conditions occurs: retrieving the accumulated closed captioning from the first memory buffer; and displaying the accumulated closed caption information without the video content.

Abstract: This invention is a signal recording/reproducing apparatus (1) for searching for a reproduction position desired by a user from a recorded video signal and/or audio signal and reproducing the signal. The apparatus has a feature vector generating unit (30). When recording a video signal/audio signal, the feature vector generating unit (30) generates a feature vector characterizing the video signal and/or audio signal and also records this feature vector to a recording unit (10). When the recorded video signal/audio signal is reproduced, a registration unit (40) registers feature vectors near a position designated by the user, as bookmarks.