Abstract: There is provided a speech processing apparatus including: a data obtaining unit which obtains music progression data defining a property of one or more time points or one or more time periods along progression of music; a determining unit which determines an output time point at which a speech is to be output during reproducing the music by utilizing the music progression data obtained by the data obtaining unit; and an audio output unit which outputs the speech at the output time point determined by the determining unit during reproducing the music.

Abstract: A system for recording data to a disc shaped record medium. The data is recorded according to a universal disc format employing a hierarchical file system, and data within the hierarchical structure is referenced using pointer information. The pointer information includes a file identifier descriptor and a file entry and is recorded such that the pointer information and its corresponding substantive data are stored at successive addresses.

Abstract: This invention discloses a data card that has a plurality of data arcs and also a linear data track, e.g., a magnetic or optical data strip, disposed on a flat data storage medium. The data card may be employed as a credit card or ID card with conventional magnetic strip for storing conventional data operable with conventional card reader. The data arc segments may be employed to store additional information for authenticating cardholder's personal biometrics information to prevent credit card or ID card frauds. In one embodiment, the data tracks further include at least one full circle data track provided with data for conveniently determining a central position of the data card in a data drive system. The data stored in the full circle data track can also be conveniently used to obtain a measurement of average signal amplitude to calibrate the signal measurements from the data card. The dynamic head loading and unloading configuration and a card insertion lock.

Abstract: A digital still camera for receiving a optical tape cassette having optical tape including an image sensor for capturing an image; focusing an image of a subject onto the image sensor which in response thereto captures such image; a structure for receiving the optical tape cassette; an optical writer for effecting a change in the optical properties of the optical tape. The optical tape is movable into operative relationship with the optical head; the image sensor and the optical writer causes the optical head write to effect changes in the optical properties of the optical tape in accordance with the image captured by the image sensor.

Abstract: A non-circular recording medium on which a recording track is formed. The recording track comprises an optically readable or writable recording area. The recording track in turn comprises a discontinuity where no data is writable or readable.

Abstract: To reduce read and write times for data in a disk drive, the data of a file is rearranged into continuous recording areas on a disk. A file has a host-specified address and a physical address. The physical address corresponds to the recording area on a disk where the file is stored. The host-specified and physical addresses are stored in a conversion table. The controller receives the host-specified address and a command for reading the file. Based on the host-specified address, the controller determines the physical address from the conversion table. Based on the physical address, the controller reads the data from the disk and sends the data to the host. Thereafter, the controller examines the physical address in the conversion table to determine if the data is recorded on a physically continuous recording area on the disk. If not, the data is moved to a physically continuous recording area, and the physical address in the conversion table is updated.

Abstract: A camera system is disclosed that optically records audio information on a photographic film containing corresponding image information. The camera system includes a user interface coupled to a camera control processor, a recording circuit coupled to the camera control processor and a microphone, an optical encoding circuit having an input coupled to the output of the recording circuit and an output coupled to an optical write head, a shutter mechanism, and a transport mechanism for advancing film past the shutter mechanism and the optical write head.

Abstract: A camera system is disclosed that optically records audio information on a photographic film containing corresponding image information. The camera system includes a user interface coupled to a camera control processor, a recording circuit coupled to the camera control processor and a microphone, an optical encoding circuit having an input coupled to the output of the recording circuit and an output coupled to an optical write head, a shutter mechanism, and a transport mechanism for advancing film past the shutter mechanism and the optical write head.

Abstract: Recording and playback optical scanners are relatively movable with respect to each other and with respect to a movable recording medium such as reel of tape adapted for recording variations in applied light. The playback scanner reproduces recorded information at a time delayed with respect to the time of recording, wherein the amount of delay can vary within wide limits. When the playback scanner is moved relative to recording scanner, the playback rate will be faster or slower than the recording rate.

Abstract: A multi-track magnetic recording tape and a corresponding method for providing an early warning of end-of-tape conditions and an indication of load-point conditions, without the use of inter-track markers. The recording tracks are divided into two sets located on separate halves of the tape, and the sets of tracks are longitudinally offset with respect to each other, to provide a half-width unrecordable region at each end of the tape. A tape marker is located in each of the unrecordable regions, each marker serving as a load-point marker for use with one set of tracks, and as an early-warning marker for use with the other set of tracks.

Abstract: A tracking control apparatus for use with an optical information reproducing system in which information to be reproduced is formed on a surface of a recording carrier with a substantially circular record track, and a light beam is incident on the surface for reading the information, the apparatus including a photo-detector for detecting the light beam reflected from the recording carrier and generating an information signal and a first tracking error signal, the first tracking error signal being responsive to deviations by the light beam from the center of the record track; a tracking control apparatus receiving the first tracking error signal for adjusting the position of the light beam in response thereto; a measuring device for generating a second tracking error signal indicative of the eccentricity of the record track; and a circuit for supplying the second tracking error signal to the tracking control apparatus to adjust the position of the light beam in response thereto.