Abstract: Timecoding systems, methods and data structures are described which, in some embodiments, permit a true time to be ascertained from media samples whose timecodes contain an amount of drift which can arise from having non-integer frame rates. Inventive methods incorporate the use of an offset parameter that describes a time difference between a timecode and a true time associated with a media sample. The inventive approaches can be incorporated with and used compatibly in connection with current timecoding paradigms such as SMPTE timecode and the like. Further embodiments permit timecoding to take place at the field level of a frame. This can permit true-time calculations to be done to ascertain the true time associated with individual fields of a frame. In addition, other embodiments provide novel counting compensation methods that are directed to reducing the drift that can be associated with media samples that are sampled at non-integer frame rates.

Abstract: There is provided a digital video recording/reproduction apparatus which can precisely perform a reproduction process while preventing noise generation even when a program has been recorded in overwriting fashion, such being realized by detecting a discontinuous portion in the stream at the time of reproduction. A PMT_PID or an ES_PID contained in each packet of a partial TS is recorded on a recording medium so as to take a different value each time there is a discontinuity in a stream. As a result, in a reproduction process of a recording medium which has been recorded in this manner, especially when data which has been overwritten on an already-recorded medium is to be reproduced, the discontinuous portion in the stream (i.e., the recorded portion immediately following the overwritten portion) can be easily determined. Thus, a precise reproduction process can be performed while preventing noise from being generated.

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: 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: In a de-emphasis circuit designing method for minimizing the number of peripheral components of a video signal processing integrated circuit (IC), a circuit device for determining the level of a reproduced video signal of the de-emphasis circuit is included in the video signal processing IC. The number of components is reduced by designing all circuit elements of the circuit device for determining the level of the reproduced video signal of the de-emphasis circuit so that they are incorporated into the video signal processing IC at the time of design of the video signal processing IC, thereby reducing cost and reducing any deviation in the playback (PB) level due to external component deviation.

Abstract: In a digital VTR having a certain recording bit rate, within a range not higher than a remaining data rate after recording the bit stream, first HP data D1 is recorded in first specific regions, and second HP data D2 is recorded in second specific regions in specific tracks. In middle-speed and high-speed fast replay, the magnetic tape is transported continuously at a middle-speed or high-speed higher than the standard speed for normal replay, and the first HP data D1 is used in common, and at a low-speed fast replay of about twice the normal speed, the speed of the magnetic tape is alternated between a speed near the standard speed for normal replay, and a speed near the low-speed fast, and at the speed near the standard speed, the second HP data disposed in the second specific regions in the specific tracks and the first HP data disposed in the first specific regions in the specific tracks are both replayed.

Abstract: A broadcast network sends audiovisual transmissions to a plurality of receivers. The transmissions contain also short audiovisual transmissions, typically advertising spots and information for triggering the displaying of an advertisement page. The receivers are furnished with a large recording capacity that allows the recording of several short audiovisual transmissions. At a time defined by the information transmitted in the audiovisual transmissions, the short audiovisual transmissions are, upon reception in the receiver, automatically replaced by transmissions of the same type previously recorded in the receiver. The receiver resumes normal displaying of the transmissions at the end of the broadcasting of the audiovisual transmissions of a certain type. According to an improvement, the recording of the transmissions can be performed according to the preferences of the user. The preferences of the user are defined during a configuration phase.

Abstract: In a multi-media system for transferring and receiving a transport stream (MPEG2-TS) between a receiver and a recording/reproducing device using the IEEE 1394 interface, a program number command of a selected program is transferred from the receiver to the recording/reproducing device during a recording/playback mode, and the recording and playback are controlled by only one input device for the receiver. Therefore, other devices of the multi-media system can be controlled without extra hardware added to the receiver. Further, an on-screen graphic (OSG) is provided by the receiver, resulting in a consistent OSG.

Abstract: In an information recording and reproducing apparatus, a plurality of first video-contents signals are recorded on a first recording medium. A plurality of second video-contents signal are recorded on a second recording medium. The second recording medium differs from the first recording medium, and is removable. Signals representative of thumbnails are generated in response to the second video-contents signals respectively. The signals representative of the thumbnails are recorded on the first recording medium in cases where the plurality of the second video-contents signals are recorded on the second recording medium. The signals representative of the thumbnails are reproduced from the first recording medium. The thumbnails represented by the reproduced signals are displayed.

Abstract: A computing system connected to storage medium and one or more rendering devices identifies and processes only selected frames of data that are stored on the storage medium, thereby reducing the resources and bandwidth is required to process and transmit the data to the rendering device(s) at a desired playback. The computing system has various modes for selecting the frames to be processed and transmitted. In one mode, all frames are selected. In another mode, only the key frames are selected. In yet other modes, only certain key frames are selected. Upon selecting the frames to be transmitted to the rendering device(s), the time stamps assigned to the selected frames are scaled so that the selected frames will be displayed for an appropriate duration of time that corresponds with the desired playback rate.

Abstract: In an image transmission method of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when compressed image data Dv obtained by compressively coding digital image data corresponding to a moving picture is transmitted, an identification flag Hfd indicating whether or not the compressed image data is suitable for use in random and independent reproduction, is transmitted subsequently to a synchronous signal Hsd positioned at the beginning of a header Hv. At a reproducing end for reproducing the compressed image data transmitted according to the image transmission method, when analyzing the header Hv added to the compressed image data Dv corresponding to one moving picture, it is decided whether or not the compressed image data Dv is suitable for use in the random reproduction in a short time, by analysis of the identification flag Hfd.

Abstract: A data recording and reproducing apparatus (11) which generates a plurality of divided data through dividing input data D1 using a distributor (22) if recording data, while generating redundancy-code data P1 and P2 using Read-Solomon-code data which can perform error-correcting on a plurality of divided data, and records the divided data and the redundancy-code data P1, P2 on HDDs 211 to 21K, 281 and 28Z. The data recording and reproducing apparatus (11) reproduces the divided data and the redundancy-code data from the HDDs 211 to 21K, 281 and 28Z, performs error-correcting processing on the divided data based on the redundancy-code data by an error corrector (31), and outputs the divided data which have been error-corrected after multiplying the divided data by a data multiplier (32) if reproducing data.

Abstract: Video and audio data is packed as defined in the MPEG and is stored into within a video object unit as a row of packs to be reproduced within a prescribed period of time. Data cells each consisting of a plurality of units are arrayed to constitute a video object. A navigation pack is disposed at a foremost position of the row of packs in the unit. A data cell identification number of the unit is set according to the recordable time length of one data cell that is designated beforehand and actual recording time length. Further, data reproduction termination time is set according to the signal processing time length that is designated beforehand. Furthermore, the termination addresses of one or a plurality of reference information pieces are set according to the predetermined size of reference information that is designated beforehand.

Abstract: A video processing system adaptively generates and processes volume/file structure and navigation data of different data format and converts data between different formats for decoding, recording and other applications. The system processes the volume/file structure and navigation data in distinct modes including (a) pre-processing, (b) contemporaneous and (c) post-processing modes. In addition, the system provides navigation information supporting navigation through different images of one or more video programs by parsing encoded packetized data representative of a sequence of individual images to determine parameters to support navigation through the sequence of individual images. The determined parameters are formatted into a predetermined data structure and incorporated into a pre-formed navigation data field.

Abstract: When a recording menu screen is selected by a remote controller 13, a control unit 10 enters a recording programming mode to display the recording menu screen on a monitor 8. When any optional video file is selected from the list on said recording menu screen by a user, the area of the selected video file is registered as a recordable area and a recording programming screen is displayed on the monitor 8 to enable recording programming. Upon completion of the recording programming, when the control unit 10 enters a recording operation mode, it records the video data in a selected area on an HDD 10, and if the recording operation is not completed even when the video data is recorded until said area becomes full, continuously records the video data in a vacant area of the HDD 5.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for identifying commercial message segments of a video signal. A set of rules is applied for determining the occurrence of commercial messages with a higher degree of accuracy as compared to conventional methods. In general, method includes the steps of monitoring a digital bit stream comprising the video signal, detecting a change in a control field of the digital bit stream, and then selectively generating a commercial event notification responsive to the detecting step. According to one aspect of the invention, a change in at least one of a video sequence header and a sequence display extension can be detected. Alternatively, or in addition to checking for a change in control field, the method can comprise the step of detecting a change in an informational parameter of the video signal exclusive of the audio-visual content.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing device has an NTSC decoder which receives a video signal and outputs a video signal, an MPEG audio encoder which receives an audio signal and outputs an audio signal, and a synchronous control circuit which detects a synchronizing signal from the video signal input to the NTSC decoder and uses that signal to generate an output synchronizing signal that is different from the input synchronizing signal. The output synchronizing signal is used to output the video signal from the NTSC decoder. In the recording/reproducing device, the NTSC decoder and the MPEG audio encoder provide a delay to the input video signal and audio signal, respectively, and output the video signal and audio signal in accordance with the output synchronizing signal generated by the synchronous control circuit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for synchronizing the video output of personal video recorders in two or more locations. A broadcast program is received and recorded on a personal video recorder on a first personal video recorder. Thus, at least one program will be stored in memory in the first personal video recorder. A second personal video recorder having a common program residing in its memory is selected. A signal is then transmitted to or from the first personal video recorder to simultaneously initiate a start sequence in each of the first and second personal video recorders. The start signal may be transmitted over the Internet or by other communication means such as telephone lines.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for writing data on and reading data from a recording medium such as an optical disc, a magnetic disc and, particularly, a tape are described. When a block of the medium is defective, the data to be written in said block is stored in an auxiliary memory. Subsequently, all the data from the auxiliary memory is copied to a predetermined spare area of the medium. Conversely, when the medium is read, data is first copied from the spare area of the medium to the auxiliary memory. If a block then appears to be defective, the correct information is read from the auxiliary memory. Thus, it is possible to write and read a real-time audio and/or video signal in a reliable manner without the possible presence of any defective blocks affecting the data transfer rate.

Abstract: A DVD-Audio which includes a data zone for storing data to be reproduced and an information zone for storing information on the data to be reproduced. The information zone includes directories of a video title set (VIDEO_TS) and an audio title set (AUDIO_TS). The AUDIO_TS directory includes information on an audio manager (AMG) having information on audio titles. The data zone includes the audio titles each having an audio title set information (ATSI) followed by a plurality of contiguous audio objects (AOBs). The ATSI includes a plurality of audio stream attributes each having an audio coding mode, first to third quantization bit numbers, first to third sampling frequencies and decoding algorithm information relating to the number of audio channels. Each of the AOBs includes a plurality of audio packs recorded with audio data corresponding to the decoding algorithm stored in the audio stream attribute.