Abstract: A digital signal recording apparatus a method of operating the same, used in conjunction with TV and video cameras, for example for security applications, includes a disk feeder system having a disk recorder and an upper compartment for holding fresh unrecorded disks, a pull slider assembly which pulls a first fresh disk at the bottom of the compartment and places the same and a printing head assembly which imprints coded information onto the placed disk, a disk recorder having a sliding table for supporting the disk and a lower compartment which accommodates the recorded disks. Supported by the sliding table the recorded disk is retracted into the disk recorder which, after the completion of recording, generates a command signal to start a new cycle.

Abstract: The video data including the unit compressed video data, each reproducible independently of each other, are recorded on the video data recording areas as the divided video data. The divided video data includes one or more integer number of unit compressed video data, which total data amount is not more than a predetermined data amount. The divided video data is recorded in the video data recording areas such that the head thereof coincides with the head of the sector on the information storage medium. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, by reading out one divided video data, the unit compressed video data can be obtained from the head of the divided video data thus read out. Thus, video data may be quickly reproduced by a simple processing even at the time of the special reproduction.

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 playback apparatus for playing back picture information from a storage medium storing one or more still pictures and still picture group management information for managing one or more still pictures as a still picture group. The apparatus includes a device for reading out the still picture group management information from the storage medium; and a memory for storing the still picture group management information read out from the storage medium. The still picture group management information is classified into a first type of still picture management information, a second type of still picture management information, a third type of still picture management information, or a fourth type of still picture management information. The still picture group management information includes still picture management information having a data size designated by the type.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium storing thereon a procedure for controlling a computer to play back a storage medium storing one or more still pictures and still picture group management information for managing one or more still pictures as a still picture group. The procedure including reading out the still picture management information from the still picture group management information in said storage medium. The still picture group management information is classified into a first type of still picture management information, a second type of still picture management information a third type of still picture management information on a still picture with only a post-recorded audio added to the still picture already recorded, or a fourth type of still picture management information. The still picture management information has a data size designated by the type.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus capable of automatically feeding a plurality of visual images by one picture feed operation. By pressing an operation button for picture-by-picture reproduction, a tape feed controller controls a capstan motor to feed a magnetic tape by n pictures specified by a picture feed amount setting means. As a consequence, n pictures are automatically fed by one button operation, always allowing picture-by-picture reproduction only for fixed camera visual images.

Abstract: Often, during an event, such as a movie, play, concert, opera, etc., viewers of the event attempt to illicitly record the event. Such illicit recording attempts may be interfered with by using emitters that emit radiation that interferes with recording and/or operation of the recording devices. For example, infrared emitters may be used to saturate an event viewing area. The infrared, while non-visible to human viewers, is received and recorded by recorders using charge-coupled devices (CCDs), such as conventional digital cameras, movie cameras, television cameras, telescopes, etc. Other radiation can be emitted based on the type of recorder with which one desires to interfere. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, emitters may also be used to send commands to recorders, such as stop, rewind, eject, etc., to interfere with operation of the recorders.

Abstract: A system for deriving benefits from the reception and processing of composite video signals by a hand-held device, such as a smart card. Video signals are modulated with auxiliary data creating composite video signals. The composite video signals are then transmitted to and received by a hand-held device. The auxiliary data is then detected in the modulated video signal by circuitry of the hand-held device. The user receives benefits resulting from the reception of the auxiliary data.

Abstract: A digital signal recording apparatus and a method of operating the same, used in conjunction with TV and video cameras, for example for security applications, includes a disk feeder system having a disk recorder and an upper compartment for holding fresh unrecorded disks, a pull slider assembly which pulls a first fresh disk at the bottom of the compartment and places the same and a printing head assembly which imprints coded information onto the placed disk, a disk recorder having a sliding table for supporting the disk and a lower compartment which accommodates the recorded disks. Supported by the sliding table the recorded disk is retracted into the disk recorder which, after the completion of recording, generates a command signal to start a new cycle.

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 recreated, and erasion level information is appended to playback management information of the divided cell that belongs to the appending range.

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: One aspect of the invention is directed to a system and method for video cataloging. The video is cataloged according to predefined or user definable metadata. The metadata is used to index and then retrieve encoded video.

Abstract: An information record medium is provided with a first recording layer on which a data group is recorded, and a second recording layer on which a data group is recorded. On the first recording layer, a lead-in area, management information for the whole of recording information, and the data group are recorded. On the second recording layer, a lead-out area and a data group are recorded. The lead-in area is recorded at the inner radius side of the information record medium. The lead-out area is recorded at the inner radius side of the information record medium. The medium is further provided with a mid area at the outer radius side of the first recording layer, and the other mid area at the outer radius side of the second recording layer.

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: An information processing apparatus and process for dealing with moving pictures. A storage stores still pictures corresponding to scene switchovers of the moving pictures, and time stamps of the scene switchovers. A display controller provides a display control to display, given a reference position on the screen, the still pictures in positions at distances from the reference position. Those distances reflect differences between a time stamp corresponding to the reference position and the time stamp of the scene switchovers.

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 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: An information processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a retrieving element for retrieving storage medium information and image data information from a memory formed integrally with a storage medium having image data recorded thereon; a recording element for recording to a database the image data information in conjunction with the storage medium information, the image data information having been retrieved by the retrieving element; and a displaying element for displaying the storage medium information and the image data information recorded by the recording element.

Abstract: A programmable video recorder (PVR) includes a writer application programming interface (API) and a reader API that operate essentially independently to enable the PVR to be networked to multiple reader applications. The writer API creates a backing store and a shared memory mapped file. The backing store stores streamed data in temporary files. The shared memory mapped file stores state information of the backing store files. The reader API receives requests from reader applications to access the stored streamed data. In response to the requests, the reader API permits the reader applications to access the shared memory mapped file to determine where the stored streamed data is located. Upon locating the stored data, the reader API permits the requesting reader applications to access the stored streamed data.

Abstract: A data reproduction method and apparatus includes first circuitry to produce an information signal from a storage medium. The information signal includes copy control information. Detection circuitry is provided to detect the copy control information. Control circuitry is provided to operate the first circuitry to selectively output the information signal based on the detection result of the detection circuitry.