Abstract: When recording packetized real-time streaming data, e.g. multimedia data, it is in general not possible to know in advance the size of the data stream, and thus the required storage area. Therefore the storage device may be full before the data stream is completely stored. The disclosed method for storing and retrieving the remaining part of the data stream on another storage device uses metadata tags (10,11) and data buffers (IB1,IB2) to split a data stream seamlessly into chunks while recording it, and distribute the chunks in real-time to different connected storage devices (D1,D2), so that the chunks can be seamlessly concatenated again in real-time for replaying the stream. The metadata tags (10,11) contain identifiers for the successive storage node (N2) and/or the preceding storage node (N1) and for the last stored application packet.

Abstract: For reproduction of transport stream (TS) from a recording medium, it is necessary to control the reproduction so as not to overflow the decoder buffer at the time of starting the reproduction and or when switching to the normal reproduction from special reproduction. At the times of starting the TS reproduction from a recording medium and switching between the normal reproduction and the special reproduction, selection is made as appropriate between a reproduction technique which performs stream output with timing similar to the input timing used for recording, and another reproduction technique which monitors data amount stored up in a decoder buffer and controls stream output in accordance with the controlled data amount.

Abstract: A method for parking a drive in a video recorder comprising the steps of (A) applying main power to the video recorder, (B) parking the drive in response to applying main power to the video recorder, (C) placing the video recorder in a standby mode, (D) presenting a user with a setup request to (i) setup the video recorder in the standby mode or (ii) enter into a normal mode, (E) if the user selects to setup the video recorder, continue parking the drive, and (F) if the user selects to enter into the normal mode, unparking the drive to allow the video recorder to access the drive.

Abstract: An AV receiver in an AV system determines the type of connection between the AV system and the display upon receiving a request for an OSD from the user. Based on the result of determination, if the AV receiver is connected to the display through a DVD reproducing device, the AV receiver transmits an OSD request including setting information to the DVD reproducing device. The DVD reproducing device produces an OSD signal based on the setting information and combines the signal with a DVD video signal for output to the display. The display displays video based on the DVD video signal as well as an OSD screen based on the OSD signal. Therefore, the AV system can display settings for the amplifier at the display regardless of the type of connection between the amplifier, the content reproducing device and the display.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes a receiver that receives a signal for playing back a program, a storage device that stores the signal received by the receiver, and a controller that, during a period in which a first program is selected, starts control for starting reception of a signal for playing back a second program different from the first program, and, when a predetermined portion of signals for playing back the second program is stored in the storage device during the period in which the first program is selected, stops reception of another portion of the signals for playing back the second program.

Abstract: In an information recording processor, component bits of additional data to be recorded on an information recording medium are stored in specific user control data. Pointer information representing row and column numbers used as identification information of the user control data is set as the values of DC control bits in a user-control-data-pointer-information-set recording frame selected from recording data. In an information playback processor, from the DC control bits in the recording frame, the row and column numbers of the user control data are acquired. The user control data is acquired and the additional data is acquired.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus has a network mode for transmitting and receiving image data through a network and a normal mode for recording and reproducing image data without connecting to a network. In a mode capable of switching between the network mode and the normal mode, the apparatus prohibits the data recording operation on a recording medium and the data erasing operation on the recording medium regardless of whether an accidental-recording prevention means is in a recording-allowed state or in a recording-prohibited state.

Abstract: A writable storage medium has a first storage area divided into a plurality of sectors having the same data capacity and a second storage area. The first storage area stores at least encoded moving picture data and encoded audio data. The second storage area stores at least first information indicating whether the audio data is silence data, second information indicating an encoding method by which the audio data has been encoded at a constant bit rate and third information indicating the number of audio channels related to the audio data. The first and second storage areas may further store encoded bitmap video data and data identification information indicating whether the bitmap video data is invisible data, respectively. The first information is detected to determine whether the first audio data is silence data.

Abstract: A multimedia optical disc for recording main video data which is composed of sets of frame data that is processed beforehand to allow compatibility with displays of a plurality of aspect ratios. The disc has a stream area storing streams made up of the main video data and a plurality of sets of sub-picture data, with each set of sub-picture data including a set of tel-op data and a set of coordinate information showing a display position of the set of tel-op data. The disc also includes a control area storing a plurality of pairings of a set of display mode information and a set of sub-picture indicating information. Each set of display mode information shows a species of display method according to which the frame data is to be processed for a case when the frame data decoded from the main video data is displayed at one of the plurality of aspect ratios.

Abstract: To detect at least one of a copy protection indicator and a redistribution control indicator in an analog video signal, the video format of the analog video signal is determined, e.g., by detecting the horizontal frequency and vertical frequency of the signal. Based at least on the determined video format, a region of the analog video signal that may contain the indicator is identified. The region may for example be one or more video lines in a vertical blanking interval. The region is examined until the indicator is detected. The indicator is confirmed, e.g., by re-detecting one or more occurrences of the same indicator value(s) later in the video signal. Once confirmed, the indicated copy protection and/or redistribution control may be effected by limiting either or both of copying and redistribution of the analog video signal. The indicator may for example be Copy Generation Management System Analog plus Redistribution Control (CGMS-A+RC) information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording apparatus having a recorder that records information signals pertaining to broadcast programs received from a receiver onto a recording medium, a setting device that sets a repetitive recording reservation program specifying recording of a broadcast program at each predetermined time interval, and a controller that determines whether or not information signals previously recorded onto the recording medium in accordance with the repetitive recording reservation program have already been reproduced by a reproduction device, and if so causes the recorder to erase the previously recorded information signals and records information signals of a current broadcast, and if not causes the recorder to record the information signals of the current program without erasing the previously recorded information signals.

Abstract: An editing system and a control method for improving efficiency of editing work. The editing system is provided with a server for storing the video data of edit material. A memory stores the video data read from the server, the memory having accessibility faster than the server. An editing terminal for reading, processing, and editing required video data from the memory based on an edit list stored in a selected file. When opening the selected file, the editing terminal makes the server read the video data required for creating the edited video based on the edit list being stored in the file and makes the memory store and keep the video data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating program data acquisition. In one embodiment, a set-top box is set to enter an auto-off state based on a user-defined auto-off time. Once the set-top box has entered the auto-off state, a channel from which program guide data may be obtained may be automatically tune to. The auto-off state may be automatically exited in order to either respond to a user interaction or to avoid missing previously-programmed recordings. Upon exiting the auto-off state, the set-top box may be tuned back to the channel that it was tuned to prior to entering the auto-off state.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image capturing unit for obtaining still-image data, a recording unit for recording, in a recording medium, the still-image data obtained by the image-capturing unit, and a play-list generating unit which, in a continuous shooting mode for obtaining a series of still images and recording a series of still-image-data items representing the still images recorded in the recording medium, generates a play list specifying a process for playing back the series of still-image-data items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for simultaneously representing at least a first and a second sequence of pictures (M, S) in an overall picture. The inventive method is characterised in that picture data belonging to a picture of the first sequence of pictures (M) is stored in the form of a first picture data signal in a first picture memory (SPM). Picture data belonging to a picture of the second sequence of pictures (S) is stored in the form of a second picture data signal in a second picture memory (SPS). The picture data of the first and second picture data memory is read out according to a periodic screen signal (RS), whereby phase shift (SHIFTM, SHIFTS, tx) of the screen signal (RS) can be adjusted according to the first and/or second picture data signal.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus for describing a real image as a virtual object using space data formed based on a photo image of the real object, and generating a virtual image of the virtual object using the space data. The image processing apparatus captures the photo image of the real object from a real camera viewpoint position while illuminating the real object by an illumination light source placed at a real illumination position. The captured photo image is converted into space data in the form of an object for each pixel, and the space data is stored in a memory together with various illumination conditions at the real illumination position to allow a search at a later time.

Abstract: First (3), second (5) and third (7) eccentric cams, positioned in substantially the same plane, mate with corresponding first (9), second (11) and third (13) slots in a bracket (1). Rotation of the first cam (3) has the ability to move the bracket (1) in an X direction. Rotation of the second cam (5) has the ability to move the bracket (1) in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction. Rotation of the third cam (7) has the ability to rotate the bracket (1) in a plane defined by said X and Y directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decoding and storing digital broadcasting signals which is capable of freely adjusting size and position of a broadcasting video window by preventing a frame buffer conflict between storing and fetching timing of the decoded data which can be occurred depending on the position and the size of the video window displayed on a screen, without expanding memory or upgrading speed of the decoder.

Abstract: 1. The object of the invention is to configure so that a video intermediate-frequency signal and a voice intermediate-frequency signal respectively included in an adjacent channel can be damped without having an effect upon a tuning characteristic of an intermediate frequency tuning circuit. 2.

Abstract: An improved method for enhanced puppetry or similar types of performances utilizing a virtual set having a key-color screen behind the set to do live action filming. All objects on the set, except for the performing puppet, or other objects which are to appear in the final product, are wrapped in a material which matches the color of the keycolor screen. A virtual background is generated and combined with the live action whereby only the puppet (or other object) appears on the virtual background in real time, with all other objects on the live set, including puppeteers, for example, being eliminated from the final product.