Abstract: A slow decode control part divides a reference clock generated by a VCXO at a ratio of a slow speed to a normal speed. An STC circuit counts the divided clock. A time for starting decoding by an MPEG video decode part is decided by comparing a DTS included in MPEG data with the count of the STC circuit. A display time determination part determines a timing for outputting decoded data by comparing a PTS included in the MPEG data with the count of the STC circuit. Decoded data temporarily held in a frame buffer is output in response to a signal generated in a determination part on the basis of frame frequency information included in the MPEG data. Thus, slow reproduction is implemented with a high degree of freedom not limited to an integer-fractional speed without requiring a complicated circuit structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an access to a memory in a system decoder of a digital video disk player. The digital video disk player includes several devices which access the memory. A memory controller connected to the devices and a data/address bus controls access to the memory. A priority order controller allows the devices to access the memory according to a predetermined priority order. The priority order controller generates acknowledgement signals to the corresponding devices in response to request signals generated from the devices. If two or more request signals are simultaneously generated from the devices, the priority order controller generates an acknowledgement signal to the appropriate device according to a predetermined priority order of the devices. Further, the acknowledgement signal is deactivated, if an access actuation signal is deactivated.

Abstract: A recording device for recording digital recording data in a recording mode of the recording device comprises data bus means to which a digital data bus can be connected and which are designed for receiving input data transmitted in at least a first input channel of the data bus. Received input data can be processed by processing means and be recorded as recording data on a data carrier by recording means of the recording device. The recording device further comprises test means for testing whether input data are received in the first input channel. Furthermore, a record-prepared mode can be activated in the recording device, and the test means, with the record-prepared mode being activated, are designed for activating the recording mode for recording input data received in the first and/or in at least one second input channel as recording data for the duration of reception of input data in the first input channel.

Abstract: In recording audio information, an information medium in a format obtained by expanding the RTR (recordable/reproducible DVD) standard is used. For management information about each piece of information recorded on the information medium, an “audio information cell” is defined as a playback unit even for audio information as in the RTR standard. To a PGC (program chain) higher in level than the cell, “playback sequence” information about the relationship between other video information (movie cells) and/or still picture information (still picture cells) is given.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of selectively recording and playing the content of a broadcast program includes playing on a media player one of a plurality of prestored files which include program content. A broadcast program is received and it is determined whether a predetermined criteria associated with the broadcast program is met. If the predetermined criteria is met, at least a portion of content of the broadcast program is automatically recorded. The recorded content of the broadcast program on the media player is then automatically played, either immediately after being recorded or at the end of playing the one prestored file.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for editing a recorded series of bits on a rewritable disc media. The method includes the steps of selectively identifying a beginning point and an end point of a segment of the recorded series of bits to be deleted; and modifying a first jump command in a control data portion of the disc. The first jump command is modified for causing playback from the disc to continue at the end point when reading in a forward direction. The method can further include modifying a second jump command in a control date portion of the disc for causing playback from the disc to continue at the beginning point when reading data for playback in a reverse direction.

Abstract: On a record medium, record information and reservation information to perform a reserved recording operation for the record information are recorded. The reservation information has: a scheduled time to start recording onto the record medium the record information of particular one kind, which is set in advance for respective one of record mediums including the record medium, among the record information of a plurality of different kinds which are recordable on the one record mediums; and a scheduled time to stop recording onto the record medium the record information of the particular one kind.

Abstract: A method and system respond to a user request for trick-mode play. A decoding device conveys the request to a device for storing a video stream. A current point location in the memory is frozen and the pointer is set back by a preselected back track distance. Then a search for a first target header is begun. The target header is either a sequence or GOP (group of pictures) header. When a target header is found, a data segment is selected which includes the target header. This is the start of the trick-mode stream. Further target headers are sought and further data accessed until a full trick-mode stream has been generated.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for preserving video signals receives an instruction to eject the recording medium from the recording/reproducing apparatus and/or senses when the recording medium is removed from the recording/reproducing apparatus. In either event, the video data stored in a memory of the recording/reproducing apparatus is preserved. Later, when a new recording medium is loaded into the recording/reproducing apparatus, the stored video data is recorded on the new recording medium in response to an operator's manual.

Abstract: A time code arithmetic apparatus having a very simple configuration is disclosed, in which the mode of two time codes is not required to be the drop mode, and the arithmetic operation of the time code flexibly meeting the requirement of all television transmission systems can be performed. Two time codes input through selector circuits A and B are added/subtracted in arithmetic means as a time code of non-drop mode simply based on the add/subtract information and the result of the arithmetic operation Oab is output. For the arithmetic result Oab and the pre-calculation time code, the total number of frames skipped (dropped) during the time lapse frame by frame from 00:00:00.00 o'clock is calculated, and in the case where the total numbers of two types of drop frames are not equal to each other, the arithmetic result Oab and the difference Nb between the two types of drop frames are returned to the selector circuits A and B, and the arithmetic operation is performed again in the arithmetic device.

Abstract: A device for providing continuous access to a plurality of data, comprising a recording medium on which is recorded multiple data, each data having both a search address for hierarchical searches and a sub search address for direct searches, a search means for searching for desired data on the above recording medium using the sub search codes, a playback display means for playing back the found data, a sub search code storage means for storing multiple sub search codes in a desired sequence to allow playback in that sequence upon command, a means of reading the corresponding sub search code from the stored sequence of sub search codes for the next data to be played back in the sequence after the previous data in the sequence has been played back, and a control means for using the above playback and display means to playback the data which has been found on the recording medium using the sub search code read by the means described above.

Abstract: A method for converting video movie (e.g., family video movie or the like) clips for computer presentation in multi-media format using compact discs by presenting on a computer screen a starting frame of each of desired video clips. Each starting frame of each of the desired video clips is made into a thumbnail image or picture (e.g., a reduced size video picture of the start of a certain video clip) for viewing on a computer screen. A plurality of thumbnail images or pictures are then set in a presentable format; and background sound or music is created for each of the video clips, if desired. Upon presentation of a plurality of thumbnail images or pictures on the computer screen, a user is capable of selecting and clicking a desired thumbnail image or picture in order to play a video clip corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of thumbnail images or pictures.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording/reproducing real-time data and a control method therefore including a recorder for sequentially recording incoming real-time video data on a recording medium, a memory for storing information on the recording position of the sequentially recorded video data by organizing the information in accordance with signal sources, and control means for controlling the recorder so that the information on the recording position is recorded in a specific area of the recording medium. The apparatus enables trick-play of real-time data playback of the video data obtained by a particular camera or high-speed playback of video data.

Abstract: An information editing apparatus for editing a reproduction manner of record information which is recorded on an information storage medium and includes at least one picture information, includes: a selecting unit for selecting a partial record information from the record information, the partial record information being part of the record information and including at least one picture information; a designating unit for designating a reproduction timing of the selected partial record information; an extracting unit for extracting the picture information included in the partial record information as a representative picture information indicative of the partial record information; and a recording unit for recording one of the extracted representative picture information and a designation information indicative of a recorded position on the information storage medium of the representative picture information and the designated reproduction timing on the information storage medium as a reproduction control info

Abstract: A movie storage, traversal, annotation, and viewing method and apparatus comprised of a graphic output device {such as a monitor} (36), random-access storage media {such as semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or combination} (16), and computation device (14) connecting them. Temporal progression through a movie frame sequence {which may have different temporal frame densities at different regions of the sequence} (200) is determined at view time through: Direct manipulation of user-controlled physical actuators {such as dial(s) (32) with attached rotary encoder(s) (30)}, mathematical functions of time, algorithmically-processed music {102}, or in response to environmental stimuli {such as temperature, light level, and other similar parameters}.

Abstract: First modification detection data is generated from the (compressed) video data. The video data is combined with the first modification detection data. The combined data is recorded on a recording medium. The read combined data is separated into the compressed video data and the first modification detection data. Second modification detection data is generated according to the separated compressed data. The separated first data modification detection data is compared with the second data modification detection data to detect data modification. Outputting expanded video data is controlled according to the comparing result. The recorded data may be copied on a removable disc. A data reproducing apparatus having the second modification detection data generation circuit and the comparing circuit reproduces the removable disc. The reproduced video data may be further processed by a watermark processing circuit to embed watermark data in the video data which are recorded on another removable disc.

Abstract: A heuristically derived unsuitability score is computed and used as an input for metaphorical springs in which each selected video segment from recorded video of a video camera is associated with a metaphorical spring that maintains the selected segment at an optimal length while being responsive to a global system spring whose spring strength determines a final length of a final edited output video. Accordingly, user-specified changes to the final length of the final output video automatically lengthen or shorten the lengths of individual segments in such a way that high quality video segments having low unsuitability scores are emphasized over low quality video segments having high unsuitability scores.

Abstract: A support method for helping the user find a desired program from a collection of recorded television programs easily and quickly, and a recording/reproducing apparatus using this method. The recorded program viewing support system, when recording a television program, records electronic program information on the program, classifies the electronic program information according to predefined program category criteria, and successfully assigns predefined category numbers (recording channels) to the program to be recorded. Before the user views a recorded program, the user specifies the number of the recorded channel. A recorded channel number is allocated with a category item and hence the user can easily know the contents of the recorded programs. The user can change the channel number successively or directly specify it by using a remote controller to find a desired program easily and quickly.

Abstract: The digitized image signal and audio signal are synthesized in a predetermined format by the digital signal processor circuit 6 and the synthesized signal is supplied to the VTR unit 10 for carrying out the digital recording. The image signal from the digital signal processor circuit 6 is supplied to the viewfinder 11 for displaying the processed image signal. The system control circuit 13 is provided which controls the processing operations in the digital signal processor circuit 6 and the VTR unit 10. To this system control circuit 13 is supplied the signal from the standby switch 14 for switching among the power supply off, the VTR mode, the camera (animated picture) standby and the photo (still picture) standby. Also, to this system control circuit 13 is supplied the signal from the push button 15 for controlling the start/stop of recording the camera (animated picture) and the still picture recording.

Abstract: A plurality of copies of an information signal are prevented from being formed. For example, a transmitter such as IRD, STB, or the like transmits an information signal supplied from the outside via a radio wave or the like to each apparatus in a system. Together with a monitor, a speaker, and the like, for example, two recorders such as VTRs or the like are provided in the system. It is assumed that the recorder is executing the recording operation. The transmitter recognizes that the recorder is under the recording operation. Even if the other recorder issues a request indicating that it wants to perform the recording operation in this situation, the operation responsive to the request is not permitted. By such a management, a plurality of recorders in the network are prevented from recording the same information signal. A plurality of copies are prevented from being formed with respect to the same information signal.