Abstract: A CD player for use with a CD having prerecorded thereon a series of tunes or tracks together with track numbers, and with a TOC which lists the prerecorded tunes with their starting addresses but, conventionally, with no ending addresses. The CD player comprises a RAM for storing the TOC read on the CD, a CPU for permitting the user to edit the TOC, and a preprogrammed RAM. After being stored on the RAM, the TOC from the disk is modified to include the ending addresses of the prerecorded tunes in addition to their starting addresses. The thus modified TOC is editable by the user for playback of any desired tune or tunes, either in part or in whole and in any desired order, permitting the customization of disk playback in a far more diversified way than heretofore.

Abstract: It is made possible to appreciate a material such as a single musical composition, a single video, and the like in various states. There is provided an optical head 31 for reading out contents data such as a musical composition, a video, and the like, metadata for arranging the contents data, and information for specifying the contents data from a CD-R 11 to which they are recorded. There is provided a circuit 35 for outputting the contents data read out by the optical head and data arranged by the metadata together.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing a visual indicator of content existing in a play list while displaying available media items for adding to the play list. The method comprises the steps of: retrieving information related to the available media items; retrieving information related to the content existing in the play list; comparing the available media item information with the play list content information to determine items from the available media that are already included in the play list; displaying a menu showing the available media items; and displaying visual indicators next to the items in the menu of the available media that are already included in the play list.

Abstract: Congested rewriting in the same area is to be evaded to suppress the tendency towards occurrence of defective areas. When a stream 1 has been recorded, the last written address, representing the last written position, is stored. When recording a stream 2 next, recording is started directly following the position indicated by the last written address for the stream 1. The last written address, corresponding to the last address of the recording position, is stored. If the stream 2 is erased for recording a stream 3, recording is started not at a position directly following the last written address of the stream 1, but from a position directly following the last written address of the stream 2. When the stream 3 has reached the end of a recording area, the next following data is recorded as from a position directly following the stream 1.

Abstract: A media system for playing content on a media player with an electronic computing device for communication. When song title request information for a song title stored by a storage process is received from a computing device, song titles stored in the storage process are transmitted in a song title transmission process to the computing device, song selection information is received from the computing device, song performance information is read and the performance equipment runs a performance process from that performance information. When the performance equipment and the second communication process are run, the song titles are displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A method for reproducing contents of an information recording medium, having at least one data zone, is disclosed, wherein a determination is made as to whether the entirety of a requested reproduction zone included in the data zone of the information recording medium contains data, or at least a part thereof belongs to a non-recorded zone at a predetermined timing on or after a point in time when the reproduction request is made. Then, when a reproduction request is made for a reproduction zone including such non-recorded zone, it is subsequently determined at the predetermined timing that the non-recorded zone is present in the reproduction zone, and an error process starts.

Abstract: Techniques for managing the storing of a digital asset by a first computer in a computer system that further comprises a second computer. The first computer receives a communication from the second computer including the digital asset, determines whether the digital asset has been stored by the first computer, and when it has not, stores a copy of the digital asset. The digital asset is identified by a first identifier based, at least in part, on its content. In one embodiment, the first identifier is the only identifier that can be used to identify the digital asset in communication between the first and second computers. In another embodiment, the computer system further stores a unit of data comprising the first identifier and metadata relating to the digital asset.

Abstract: A method for labeling an optical disc includes the following steps: receiving a command of a light scribe application program of a host to start labeling, reading an indication area of the optical disc to obtain information of labeling, transmitting the information of labeling to the host, and planning blocks capable of being labeled in the drawing area of the optical disc by the host. If planning the blocks capable of being labeled fails, labeling stops; and if planning the blocks capable of being labeled is successful, the drawing area of the optical disc is labeled, an indication is recorded at the indication area of the optical disc corresponding to the labeled block, and labeling then stops.

Abstract: A recording method for embedding in a record medium many types of management information corresponding to many types of record media as additional information added to content data that is recorded on the record medium, performing a first encoding process for the content data to which the additional information has been embedded, performing a second encoding process for the many types of management information; and modulating the content data of which the first encoding process has been performed and the many types of management information of which the second encode process has been performed.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes an optical disc drive unit for recording/reproducing information with respect to a recording surface of an optical disc, a label printer module for printing a label on a label surface of the optical disc, and an optical disc support apparatus separated from the optical disc during recording/reproduction of the information, and supporting the optical disc to allow the label surface of the optical disc to be located at a printable position with respect to the label printer module during printing of the label.

Abstract: A method of data storage in an optical storage media under multiple specifications. When a data is provided to store in a data area of the optical storage media under Mount Rainier (M3) specification, a first index of the data area under M3 specification is stored into a first data index area, i.e. an area of M3 file allocation table, of the optical storage media. Further, a conversion of the logical address of the data area from M3 specification to Method Two (M2) specification is proceeded, and a second index of the data area under M2 specification can be obtained and stored into a second data index area, i.e. an area of M2 file allocation table, which is in a general application area (GAA) under M3 specification, of the optical storage media.

Abstract: A user-interactive program assists a user in locating files on optical media discs such as CD-ROMs and DVDs to enhance file-transfer rates and program installation times in computers with a Constant Angular Velocity (CAV) optical media disc drive. In addition, an application program calculates an optimal location for files and/or directories on an optical media disc so that the files are located near the location with the highest data transfer rate. This program may be used to compute an image file that defines where data will be located on an optical disc, or may be used to control transfer of data to the optical media disc.

Abstract: In a method of recording real-time information on an information carrier, e.g. audio on an optical disc, the real-time information is compressed to units comprising a variable amount of compressed data, and playback parameters are determined in dependence of the compressed data. The playback parameters comprise an access list (Main_Acc_List) having entries, each subsequent entry being assigned to a subsequent interval of a fixed playback time and comprising a pointer (Entry[N]) to a unit within said interval. In a player the real-time information may be accessed at a selected point of playing time. The corresponding entry in the access list is determined by dividing the selected time by the interval. The entry provides the pointer (Entry[N]) to the unit corresponding to the selected playing time.

Abstract: Audio-centered information is stored on a unitary medium by using a Table-of-Contents (TOC) mechanism that specifies an actual configuration of various audio items on the medium. In particular, each one of a set of one or more Track Areas gets at least two mutually logically conforming Sub-TOCs assigned. This allows to retrieve any constituent Sub-TOC part from at least any correct copy of the Sub-TOCs. Furthermore, one or more Master-TOCs are provided for specifically pointing to each of the Sub-TOCs.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory card for storing audio information with corresponding text information and type information, where the type information indicates a type of the text information. The type is classified into at least (a), (b), and (c) in which the text information respectively includes (a) a 1-byte character code sequence, (b) a 2-byte character code sequence, and (c) a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence.

Abstract: A method and device for recording video on a record carrier (11), e.g. an optical disc. The information is arranged according to a recording format, e.g. DVD-video, for being playable in standardized players. The video information is subdivided into cells and playback parameters for reproducing sequences of the cells are included in control information. The format prescribes that within the recording area the control information precedes the video information for playback functions of the recorded video. However for home recording it is preferable that a recording is made in one pass, i.e. the video is to be recorded directly at its final location. Therefore the recorder has a control unit (20) for performing the following steps: first creating a free area (12) by selecting a starting point (13) within the recording area different from the beginning of the recording area, thereafter recording the real-time information from the starting point (13), and recording the control information in said free area (12).

Abstract: Audio-centered information is stored on a unitary medium by a Table-of-Contents (TOC) mechanism for specifying an actual configuration of various audio items on the medium. In addition to the TOC mechanism a file-based access mechanism to the information is assigned through a ROOT directory that contains a highest level TOC directory pointing at various audio items.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically preparing removable media for content, such as by automatically formatting media such as CDs and DVDs. A drive type is determined for a drive present on a computer system. The drive type defines characteristics of the drive. In addition, a media type is detected for removable media, such as a compact disc or floppy disk, present in the drive. Similar to the drive type, the media type defines characteristics of the removable media. Based on the drive type and media type, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write to the removable media.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention includes a management area for recording management information, and a data area for recording content data. The content data recorded in the data area contains a plurality of object data, each object data contains a plurality of data units, each data unit contains a plurality of packs, each pack contains at least one packet, the packet contains at least one transport stream packet, the management information recorded in the management area contains program chain information which manages the playback order of data contained in the object data, the program chain information contains cell information, and the cell information contains information that specifies an object to be played back.

Abstract: A disc player for playing back a disc that includes a plurality of folders, each folder including music files, includes a folder specifying unit for selecting a folder playback mode and specifying one folder and a playback unit for reading the music files in the specified folder from the disc to sequentially play back the read music files in the folder playback mode. The playback unit reads and plays back the music files from the disc in an order determined by a playback order determining unit in a folder random playback mode. The playback unit repeatedly plays back at least one music file in the specified folder in a folder repeat playback mode. The playback unit scans and plays back the first few seconds of each music file in the folder in a folder scan playback mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk barcode forming method wherein, as information to be barcoded, position information for piracy prevention, which is a form of ID, is coded as a barcode and is recorded by laser trimming on a reflective film in a PCA area of an optical disk. When playing back the thus manufactured optical disk on a reproduction apparatus, the barcode data can be played back using the same optical pickup.

Abstract: Consumer friendly compact disc which employ MPEG 1 video data for DVD players, computers, and CD-DA tracks for Compact Disc players with traditional playback identified by these independent machines. DVD playable MPEG 1 video time will not alter CD audio playability in CD players due to a 4-second track 1 Table of Contents time. Playback of disc in DVD players allows Play Back Control (PBC) of MPEG 1 data without interaction of CD-DA tracks. The method employed ensure a compact disc free from digital E32 type sector errors associated with PRE GAP and untrue lead out point now true with current white book 2.0 spec when including CD-DA tracks. This specially authored formatted disc derived from a previous unperfected white book spec allow the bridging of three of the most popular consumer products of our time, the DVD player, CD player and the home computer.

Abstract: A method for the reproduction of data, such as digital audio data and/or video data, stored on a storage medium, for example, on an optical storage disk, in a playback device, in which an accelerated selection may be possible of storage media to be reproduced or to be rejected by playback device. In a first operating mode, data are filed in, for example, a nonvolatile memory during a play-back process of the storage medium. In a second operating mode, the storage medium is selected, for example, for a playback process and a reproduction process. Within a timespan during which the selected storage medium is brought from a magazine into a playback position, in which the data stored in the storage medium may be read out by a read device, or into an eject position, from which the selected storage medium may be retrieved, at least a part of the data filed in the memory is played back and reproduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a file system which can record and/or record AV signals simply onto and/or from a disc in a home. The file system is incorporated in a recording and/or reproduction apparatus which uses a disc type recording medium, and records management information for management of a file of AV data to at least two locations of a logical volume.

Abstract: In audio contents which have cells for defining an audio title playback unit and whose actual playback sequence is determined by defining the playback sequence of the cells, cell information to specify the cells is provided with identification information to identify the types of the cells according to the difference in the contents of the data included in the cells. One type of the contents of the data in the cells is for obtaining the length of the silent period of time. The identification information corresponding to the cell indicates a silent cell.

Abstract: A label printer system includes a disk storage medium including a thermally-sensitive layer formed on at least a portion of an upper surface. A rotational drive rotates the disk storage medium and a transverse drive moves a laser substantially transversely with respect to the disk storage medium. A memory includes a symbol set and a label printer driver. A processor uses the label printer driver to control the rotational drive and the transverse drive in order to thermally write the symbol set to the thermally-sensitive layer of the disk storage medium, using the laser.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the data to be reproduced correctly by judging the lead-in region of first session on a multi-session disc. The reproducing apparatus reproduces a multi-session disc composed of a plurality of sessions, each comprising a lead-in region recording index information including the information of reproduction start time measured from the disc innermost peripheral position, program region recording program tracks storing contents to be reproduced, and lead-out region, corresponding to the start position of each program track stored in the multi-session disc. This reproducing apparatus comprises an optical pickup for reading out the index information of specified session, and a session judging unit for judging if the lead-in region of the specified session is the lead-in region of the first session of the multi-session disc or not, on the basis of the information of the reproduction time included in the index information being read out by the optical pickup.

Abstract: A method and device for recording information blocks on a record carrier is described. The device has control means 20 for recording and retrieving position data indicative of the position of the recorded information blocks. The control means include a mapping unit 31 for determining in which region the information block is recorded and a detection unit 32. The region is one of a number of consecutive regions constituting the recordable area. The mapping unit records a random signal unit in a unit location in a mapping area. The unit location indicates region, and the unit length of the random signal unit is smaller then the length of information block. The detection unit 32 detects the presence of the recorded random signal units in mapping area and so determines if a region contains at least one information block. The highest written address is found by detecting the highest written unit location in the mapping area, and subsequently searching region for the presence of recorded marks.

Abstract: A method of recording data to a disc shaped record medium is provided where the data corresponds to a hierarchical file system. In the method, management information for managing the hierarchical structure of the file system is recorded to a predetermined area of the disc shaped record medium. An unused area of the predetermined area is treated as a file.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention includes a management area for recording management information, and a data area for recording content data. The content data recorded in the data area contains a plurality of object data, each object data contains a plurality of data units, each data unit contains a plurality of packs, each pack contains at least one packet, the packet contains at least one transport stream packet, the management information recorded in the management area contains program chain information which manages the playback order of data contained in the object data, the program chain information contains cell information, and the cell information contains information that specifies an object to be played back.

Abstract: A recording method of the present invention includes a first process for recording audio data consecutively in a first recording area of a recording medium and a second process for recording audio data, which have a file format having the same file contents as audio data recorded in said first recording area, in a second recording area of said recording medium, can process audio data having a consecutive recording format and audio data having a file format, and thus makes it possible to use conveniently.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory card for storing audio information with corresponding text information and type information, where the type information indicates a type of the text information. The type is classified into at least (a), (b), and (c) in which the text information respectively includes (a) a 1-byte character code sequence, (b) a 2-byte character code sequence, and (c) a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence.

Abstract: An information recording medium 1 is provided with: a user data recording part 3 which records user data; a random-patter-information recording part 4 which records random pattern information from a random physical phenomenon; and an authentication data recording part 5 which records, as authentication data, medium identification information created on the basis of the random pattern information detected from the random-pattern-information recording part 4 and a digital signature for each manufacturer with respect to the medium identification information.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided with: an object data file for storing object data which constitutes a series of content information, such as picture information and audio information, and a play list information file for storing play list information which defines a reproduction sequence of the object data by a unit of a play list. The information recording medium is further provided with a disc information file for storing a plurality of title play lists including, (i) play list specification information for specifying the play list information which defines the play list to be reproduced, (ii) Pre command information, and (iii) Post command information, which indicate a command to be executed before and after the reproduction, respectively, based on the play list information.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention includes a management area for recording management information, and a data area for recording content data. The content data recorded in the data area contains a plurality of object data, each object data contains a plurality of data units, each data unit contains a plurality of packs, each pack contains at least one packet, the packet contains at least one transport stream packet, the management information recorded in the management area contains program chain information which manages the playback order of data contained in the object data, the program chain information contains cell information, and the cell information contains information that specifies an object to be played back.

Abstract: A disc has a first area for recording musical data and a second area for recording information (first-area recorded-content information) related to the content of what is recorded in the first area. In each block constituting the second area, a character code of the block and language codes of all blocks are recorded in addition to the first-area recorded-content information. The disc is loaded into a disc player. When a system controller in the disc player reads the first-area recorded-content information from a designated block and displays it, the system controller counts and saves a read count corresponding to the language code of the block. When a new disc is played back, first-area recorded-content information is read from a block having a language code which has the maximum count and displayed in a language corresponding to the language code.

Abstract: A method for playing a recording medium, in particular an optical storage disc, used to access titles more quickly. Stored in a run-in area of the recording medium is at least one address area that includes at least one address of a beginning of a title stored on the recording medium. The recording medium is played in a player having a read device. When the at least one address area is read out, the at least one address of a title beginning is converted to a start time of exactly one time unit and stored in a memory, with the start time corresponding approximately to the playing time of the recording medium up to the addressed title beginning. To position the read device at the beginning of the title, the track jump time is calculated directly from the corresponding start time stored in the memory.

Abstract: A system for labeling a storage media is disclosed. The system includes a unit for arranging images, wherein the images correspond to images encoded on the storage media. The system also includes a device for printing the images coupled to the unit for arranging the images. Printing may be performed by one of a printer and a laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple finalizing that is quicker to be done. To ensure that the finalized recording medium can be replayed by any type of playback apparatus, the invention includes means for additional finalizing that makes the medium the same as processed by normal finalizing.

Abstract: A label printer system includes a disk storage medium including a thermally-sensitive layer formed on at least a portion of an upper surface. A rotational drive rotates the disk storage medium and a transverse drive moves a laser substantially transversely with respect to the disk storage medium. A memory includes a symbol set and a label printer driver. A processor uses the label printer driver to control the rotational drive and the transverse drive in order to thermally write the symbol set to the thermally-sensitive layer of the disk storage medium, using the laser.

Abstract: A method for reproducing contents of an information recording medium, having at least one data zone, is disclosed, wherein a determination is made as to whether the entirety of a requested reproduction zone included in the data zone of the information recording medium contains data, or at least a part thereof belongs to a non-recorded zone at a predetermined timing on or after a point in time when the reproduction request is made. Then, when a reproduction request is made for a reproduction zone including such non-recorded zone, it is subsequently determined at the predetermined timing that the non-recorded zone is present in the reproduction zone, and an error process starts.

Abstract: The data structure includes a navigation area of the recording medium storing at least one playlist, a first entry point map and a second entry point map. The playlist includes at least one playitem and at least one sub-playitem. The playitem provides navigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from a first file, and the sub-playitem providing navigation information for reproducing audio data from a second file. The first entry point map includes at least one entry point pointing to the still picture, and the second entry point map includes at least one entry point pointing to the audio data.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A method and device for recording information blocks on a record carrier is described. The device has control means 20 for recording and retrieving position data indicative of the position of the recorded information blocks. The control means include a mapping unit 31 for determining in which region the information block is recorded and a detection unit 32. The region is one of a number of consecutive regions constituting the recordable area. The mapping unit records a random signal unit in a unit location in a mapping area. The unit location indicates said region, and the unit length of the random signal unit is smaller then the length of said information block. The detection unit 32 detects the presence of the recorded random signal units in said mapping area and so determines if a region contains at least one information block. The highest written address is found by detecting the highest written unit location in the mapping area, and subsequently searching said region for the presence of recorded marks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing MIDI (music instrument digital interface) music based on synchronization information are provided. MIDI performance information is detected from a musical score and/or MIDI data. Synchronization information, which contains real performance onset time information on an onset time at which each of all notes included in the MIDI performance information is estimated to be performed, is generated from the MIDI performance information or a predetermined synchronization information file. MIDI music is reproduced based on a real MIDI performance table, which is generated by matching the MIDI performance information and the synchronization information. Accordingly, even if musicla trainees do not have real performance sound played by a desired player, they can reproduce and listen to the player's performing music with only a small amount of score information and synchronization information.

Abstract: A network interface device includes a random access memory used as a transmit and receive buffer for transmission and reception of data between a host computer bus and a packet switched network. The network interface device includes a memory controller that determines whether a complete frame is stored in the random access memory and also determines an amount of data available to be read from the oldest received frame. A host CPU is able to access this information and determine whether to read the data or read the data at a later time.

Abstract: A method and device for recording information blocks on a record carrier is described. The device has control means 20 for recording and retrieving position data indicative of the position of the recorded information blocks. The control means include a mapping unit 31 for determining in which region the information block is recorded and a detection unit 32. The region is one of a number of consecutive regions constituting the recordable area. The mapping unit records a random signal unit in a unit location in a mapping area. The unit location indicates said region, and the unit length of the random signal unit is smaller then the length of said information block. The detection unit 32 detects the presence of the recorded random signal units in said mapping area and so determines if a region contains at least one information block. The highest written address is found by detecting the highest written unit location in the mapping area, and subsequently searching said region for the presence of recorded marks.

Abstract: A label printer system includes a disk storage medium including a thermally-sensitive layer formed on at least a portion of an upper surface. A rotational drive rotates the disk storage medium and a transverse drive moves a laser substantially transversely with respect to the disk storage medium. A memory includes a symbol set and a label printer driver. A processor uses the label printer driver to control the rotational drive and the transverse drive in order to thermally write the symbol set to the thermally-sensitive layer of the disk storage medium, using the laser.