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 white balance correcting device for correcting white balance by using video signals is arranged to be capable of accurately obtaining white balance even in a case where a picture includes only a small white part therein. The white balance correcting device is arranged to divide a picture into a plurality of blocks, to obtain a mean value of signals by averaging signals of each divided block as representing the block and a peak value of luminance from a signal having the highest luminance among others in each divided block also as representing the block, and to use, for white balance control, either the mean value or the peak value according to the state of the object of shooting.

Abstract: The erasion level appending range of a file is instructed. According to this instruction, the erasion level is set. When this setting range does not agree with the cell unit of the current cell, the current cell is divided to set a sequence of divided cells. Playback management information of each of the divided cells and current cell is re-created, and erasion level information is appended to playback management information of the divided cell that belongs to the appending range.

Abstract: A recording arrangement (1) for receiving and recording a television signal (F) and for receiving an information signal (I) which contains television program information (FPI), for example, title information about future television programs. The recording arrangement (1) has a keyword detector (54) which derives at least one keyword characteristic of the fields of interest of the user from title information of a television program recorded by the recording arrangement (1). A selector (58) selects, from the title information of future television programs, which is contained in the television program information (FPI), the title information containing at least one detected keyword. Selected television programs can be displayed on a display device (3) or can be recorded automatically.

Abstract: A recording medium for storing virtual deletion information, and recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor are provided. The recording medium includes a first region having a plurality of still pictures, and a second region having first virtual deletion information for the still pictures, and still picture group information for separating the still pictures in the first region into a predetermined maximum number of groups in order to manage the still pictures at a group level, wherein the first virtual deletion information is within the still picture group information, and if the first virtual deletion information is set to a virtual delete state, the corresponding still picture is not to be reproduced. Accordingly, file extent information can be prevented from excessively increasing by maximally preventing a recording area from being scattered, when some of a data file are deleted by a user's request.

Abstract: Control signal transmitting and receiving methods for video/audio processing integrated circuit (IC), the method applied to a video player, and an apparatus therefor are provided. The control signal transmitting method, in a video player having an integrated circuit (IC) for processing video/audio signals and a microprocessor generating control signals to control the IC, has the steps of mapping serial data corresponding to possible control states of the video/audio signal processing IC, and storing the mapped data in a lookup table, reading serial data corresponding to a control state of the video/audio signal processing IC requested by the microprocessor, from the lookup table; and transmitting the serial data to the video/audio signal processing IC, being synchronized to a clock signal.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of video data stored on a storage device. The method including the steps of: determining whether sufficient storage space remains on the storage device to store a desired video content; if sufficient storage space does not exist on the storage device to store the desired video content, determining whether any video content of the plurality of video data stored on the storage device has been partially viewed; and if video content stored on the storage device has been partially viewed, deleting the partially viewed video content to make room for storage of the desired video content on the storage device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for editing recorded information having a format where both a video signal and an audio signal are recorded on a recording medium. When the recorded information is reproduced, a detection is conducted to determine a position where a predetermined condition is produced in the audio signal. Discriminating information indicative of an editing position is produced based on the position where the predetermined condition is detected and displayed on a screen of a display apparatus.

Abstract: An information recording medium on which are recorded substantial data and reproduce control information for reproducing the substantial data, wherein the reproduce control information includes first reproduce control information required for reproducing the substantial data in all available reproduce patterns, and second reproduce control information required for reproducing the substantial data in a portion of the available reproduce patterns.

Abstract: A computer device capable of playing DVD films without the need of running an operating system is disclosed. The computer device comprises a computer keyboard unit comprising a keyboard controller, a low-voltage differential signal (LVDS) transmitter, wherein the LVDS transmitter has an output end connected to a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor; a DVD-ROM for reading and outputting audio/video DVD data; a DVD format and image decoder connected to the DVD-ROM through a multiplexer; and a DVD control switch disposed on the computer keyboard unit and connected to the power switching module, wherein the power switching module functions as a controller when the DVD control switch is activated to turn on the work power of the keyboard controller, the DVD-ROM, the DVD format and image decoder, the multiplexer, the image processor, the LVDS transmitter, the LCD monitor, the audio amplifier, and the speaker.

Abstract: A program recording device 10 compresses data of program recorded in a hard disk, at a user's desirable timing in a user's desirable compression level. A recording unit 11 records data of a program, and a re-compression scheduler 14 includes a compression setting table having a re-compression condition and an encoding method used in a compressing process. The re-compression condition and the encoding method are, in advance, established for each compressing timing. Then the scheduler 14 is activated in a predetermined interval and selects a program satisfying the re-compression condition among programs recorded by the recording unit 11. The re-compressing unit 15 compresses data of the selected program.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for transferring digital image files to a digital video disc. The files in the digital video disc, or digital photos, are representative of a plurality of still pictures and are user controllable interactively played on either a personal computer or through a standard digital video disc playback device, such as a digital video disc player or a video compact disc player. The user has control of manipulating and sequencing the digital photos. During playback, the user has control of sequence during playback on either the personal computer or the television. A custom software package allows for the user controlled playback of the digital photos with most standard playback devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for annotating video and audio media with supplementary content for post video processing. In one embodiment, the invention may include maintaining a current state of auxiliary information regarding a sequence of video frames, the sequence of video frames being encoded as a video bit stream having video frame data for each respective video frame of the sequence of video frames. It may further include comparing the current state of auxiliary information with auxiliary information regarding a current video frame of the sequence of video frames to determine differential information, and annotating the differential information to the video bit stream as an annotation to the video frame data for the current video frame.

Abstract: A digital video disk player having a quick playback function and a method of reproducing an optical disc using the digital video disk player. The quick playback function is accomplished by analyzing reproduction control information and searching the titles corresponding to a predetermined title, calculating the running time of each title based on the video title information corresponding to the searched titles, and reproducing the selected title on the basis of the calculated running time. Accordingly, a selective reproduction of a title corresponding to a main movie among a plurality of titles recorded on the disk can be performed.

Abstract: By sequentially inputting images for each frame, sequentially extracting features from the inputted frame images, converting the features sequentially extracted into a feature series corresponding to the inputted frame image series, compressing the feature series in the direction of the time axis, storing the compressed feature series in the storage, sequentially extracting features separately from the images to be retrieved for each inputted frame, sequentially comparing the features of the images to be retrieved for each frame with the stored compressed feature series, storing the progress state of this comparison, updating the stored progress state of the comparison on the basis of a comparison result with the frame features of the succeeding images to be retrieved, and retrieving image scenes matching with the updated progress state from the images to be retrieved on the basis of the comparison result between the updated progress state and the features of the images to be retrieved for each frame, the pre

Abstract: The erasion level appending range of a file is instructed. According to this instruction, the erasion level is set. When this setting range does not agree with the cell unit of the current cell, the current cell is divided to set a sequence of divided cells. Playback management information of each of the divided cells and current cell is re-created, and erasion level information is appended to playback management information of the divided cell that belongs to the appending range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data structure and operation method for A/V (audio/video) disks. The specification disclosures a type of navigation files with a new structure. This navigation file utilizes a plurality of tables with different data types to record data relevant to another A/V file in the disk. To distinguish different data types of tables, each table has a table head and a table serial number. There is also an erase/modify information table in each of the data types to record editing information that has been done (such as editing information of erase/modify). Any newly created or edited table is written to a disk by appending. When first using an A/V player to play A/V data, all the tables are combined into a navigation file through the steps of separating tables, modifying tables and rearranging table. Thus, newly created or edited A/V data in an A/V disk can be played without the need to modify the original navigation file in the disk.

Abstract: When an input signal is signal-converted and is output, the copyright of a signal to be signal-converted is reliably protected. In an additional information detection/determination section, digital watermark information, CGMS information, etc., which are superposed on or added to an input luminance signal, are detected, and it is determined whether or not a signal which is to be signal-converted in a signal conversion section should be output on the basis of the detected additional information. When additional information for prohibiting or limiting copying has been superposed on or added to the input luminance signal, a switching circuit for output control is turned off so that the signal which is signal-converted in the signal conversion section is not output to the outside.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus, a video signal playback apparatus, and a video signal recording apparatus are presented for preventing illegal copying of thumbnail images. For example, a thumbnail encoder generates a thumbnail image of a video signal input from a terminal. A macrovision detector, a CGMS detecting/updating unit, and a WM (watermark) detecting/updating unit detect an analog copy protection signal (APS), a CGMS signal as copy generation management information, and watermark, respectively, of the video signal input from the terminal, and outputs them to a controller. The controller generates copy control information of the thumbnail image based on the input copy control information. The thumbnail image and the copy control information thereof are recorded in an information recording medium. This may be applied to a recording apparatus for recording data into an information recording medium and to a playback apparatus for playing back data recorded in an information recording medium.

Abstract: In order to search for an image recorded on an optical disk 10, a registration trigger is generated automatically or in response to an instruction of the user from a microcomputer block 30, a pointer indicating the recording position of a main image which is used as an index image in a preset area of the optical disk 10 via a data processor 36 and disk drive 32, index image data which becomes the index image is created in an encoder section 50 and data is recorded from an index image buffer memory 59 into a user menu file on the optical disk 10 via a formatter 56, data processor 36 and disk drive 32.