Abstract: An electronic device has memory (configuration ROM) which is directly accessible from another electronic device. The memory has an area (for example, a “Model_ID” entry of a root directory) to store its own model information and another area (for example, a Model_ID” entry of a module information directory) to store model information of a module to which the electronic device is connected. The information pointing to a storage location of the module information directory is set at a “Module_info” entry of the root directory. The model information includes model ID for identifying models and user interface information for describing models (textual data and icon data). When another electronic device accesses the memory, it aquires the above information. This allows it to easily aquire model information of the module to which the electronic device is connected.

Abstract: A data recording and reproducing apparatus capable of easily obtaining information which has few dropout and is necessary for variable speed reproduction at the time of variable speed reproduction. An image group dividing unit divides input image data into a plurality of image groups on a unit image basis, thereby forming plural divided data. After the formed divided data is temporarily stored into an image data temporary storing unit, the divided data is outputted as image data which is a data stream of the divided data in a predetermined image unit to a disk array apparatus via an HDD output interface unit. Each disk array apparatus records the divided data into HDDs so as to periodically change the relation between the HDDs and the groups of data to be recorded to the HDDs in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A system that utilizes a determined time between characteristics from content for subsequently identifying the content and/or the corresponding content review position in the time domain. The system utilizes a database of previously stored time between characteristics from known content for matching to the determined time between characteristics from the content source. The characteristics may correspond to video tape indexing data, keyframe data, audio characteristics, text occurrences, and/or other known characteristics from the content. When a match is found between the determined time between characteristics and the stored times between characteristics, the system identifies the content. If corresponding time domain data is stored in the database, the system identifies the current content review position in the time domain.

Abstract: In order to obtain a high-quality image when an encoded stream which is encoded using MPEG is played back at variable speed, a stream conversion apparatus is provided which converts an arrangement of DCT coefficients of a source encoded stream into an arrangement suitable for variable-speed playback. Specifically, a header part is separated from an elementary stream of MPEG, and DCT coefficients arranged from a low order of a spatial frequency to a high order are extracted by zigzag scan at intervals of a plurality of DCT blocks which form a macro block. These DCT coefficients are rearranged from a low order to a high order across a plurality of DCT blocks. The DCT coefficients rearranged in this manner are packed into a stream, and the separated header part is added, forming a converted elementary stream. This converted elementary stream is recorded.

Abstract: In a recording and reproduction method for recording digital data on magnetic tape by a helical scanning method or for reproducing digital data recorded on magnetic tape by the helical scanning method, a plurality of sectors are generated in each track on the magnetic tape and various types of data, such as video data and audio data, and track-synchronization data are recorded. Pilot signals for tracking control are recorded on the various types of data in a superposition manner by the use of three different frequencies such that the frequency changes every track in a predetermined repetition manner. The pilot signal is recorded so as to have a higher level at least in two blocks in a sector where the track-synchronization data is recorded than in the other portion of each track.

Abstract: In a system target decoder for seamlessly reproducing a stream obtained by conducting multiplexing so that an audio skew generated in a stream connection portion will not be separated from a video stream corresponding thereto, the capacity of the audio buffer to be increased is stipulated. The capacity is increased by at least T×RVideo×RAudio÷(RVideo+RAudio) where T is a sum of an interval during which an audio stream is inputted to the audio buffer, but a video stream is not inputted to a video buffer and an interval during which an audio stream is not inputted to the audio buffer, but a video stream is inputted to the video buffer, RVideo is a readout rate of the video stream, and RAudio is a readout rate of the audio stream.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for facilitating a still image copying operation between a plurality of storage media. Under the control of the controller 67, a DV/digital video data converter 62, a digital video data/analog converter 63, and a digital video data/JPEG converter 64 convert input digital video data into a still image, convert the still image into digital video data or an analog video signal, and convert an input analog video signal into a still image. Under the control of the controller 67, a PC card interface 65 stores the still image into a PC card 9 and reads the still image therefrom. Under the control of the controller 67, a Memory Stick interface 66 stores a still image into a Memory Stick 10 and reads the still image therefrom.

Abstract: A video recording/reproduction system is equipped with a magnetic disk drive, which records and reproduces video data on a magnetic disk by driving a magnetic head. Herein, the magnetic disk drive is controlled by a CPU in accordance with control programs, while a host machine is provided to perform a variety of controls regarding recording and reproduction in accordance with commands being given by manipulation of an operation panel. The magnetic disk drive is characterized by performing a reassignment process and/or calibration such as to suppress reduction of throughput of video data. That is, if the CPU fails to access a target sector of the magnetic disk so that the target sector is regarded as a defect sector, the CPU makes a decision whether to perform the reassignment process based on transfer speeds and vacant capacity of a buffer memory built in the magnetic disk drive.

Abstract: A device to encode motion and sound data directly into a computer recognizable format and save the encoded data on a hard disk drive in real time includes a housing having operator controls. A lens and at least one microphone are also on the housing. Processor circuitry within the housing communicates with the operator controls and the at least one microphone. The processor circuitry generates motion data in response to light entering the housing via the lens and captures sound data via the at least one microphone in response to user input made via the operator controls. The processor circuitry includes an encoder to encode the motion and sound data directly into a computer recognizable format. The encoded motion and sound data is saved on a hard disk drive within the housing in real time.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for changing a playback speed of a selected video segment having a non-progressive frame structure which has been recorded onto a portion of a storage medium. A selected video segment can be modified for a changed playback speed and the modified video segment can be recorded exclusively on the portion of the storage medium. A plurality of non-video packs in the selected video segment can be deleted to reduce the amount of data contained in the modified video segment. The video segment can be modified by decoding the frames in the video segment, reencoding such frames into their associated field pictures and adding at least one field picture. Alternatively, the video segment can be modified by removing at least one frame or field picture contained in the video segment. In either arrangement, the video segment can be reencoded to produce a smoother trick mode and playback performance.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method 300 for changing a playback speed of a selected video segment having repeat fields. To achieve fast motion play a selected video segment can be modified to delete repeat fields 340. Further pictures can be deleted as required 360 to achieve a desired playback speed. To achieve slow motion play, a selected video segment can be modified by encoding repeat fields into conventional field pictures. Further pictures can be added as required to achieve a desired playback speed 330. Further, a repeat first field flag in the picture header of the picture containing the repeat field can be set to zero 325. Furthermore, a GOP structure of the modified video segment can be reencoded into a conventional 365 or a desired 367 GOP structure. Additionally, the modified video segment can be recorded exclusively on a desired portion of a storage medium 370.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of quickly previewing user selected portions of a DVD or other stored work having a questionable rating without having to view the entire work. By utilizing the rating information contained in the scene, a scene can be called up for review and a decision can be made quickly whether or not to accept or reject that particular scene for playback during the playback of the entire work. Discrete scenes of the work may be approved or disapproved for viewing individually or collectively, and in some cases, alternative, less offensive scenes may be substituted in place of rejected scenes. These accepted scenes may be combined with other scenes, that have a rating less than that originally chosen by user, for later seamless viewing of the work.

Abstract: Video signals are recorded according to the number of tracks corresponding to the broadcasting system for each basic unit. When control signals are recorded on a magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction, the duty ratio of the control signals for every N tracks recorded for each basic unit has a value different from that of the duty ratio of other control signals. At the time when the magnetic tape 1 is reproduced CTL signals are obtained by forming waveforms of the reproduced amplified outputs by means of a waveform formation unit 6. A CTL signal duty ratio determination unit 9 detects the border of a frame in accordance with the duty ratio. A broadcasting a system determination unit 10 determines the broadcasting system based on the counting result of the CTL signals during one frame that has been counted by the CTL signal counting unit 9.

Abstract: A resource management system is composed of a plurality of application programs, a resource management information database, and a resource manager. Each application program executes data transfer using resources. The resource management database stores resource management information and key information for each resource. Upon receipt of a resource use request from an application program, the resource manager judges whether the requested resource can be allocated to the application program by referring to the resource capacity and the currently-allocated volume of the resource that are included in the information database. If judging that the requested resource can be allocated, the resource manager gives authorization to the application program to use the resource. The resource manager also controls resource allocation by restricting a data transfer bandwidth used by an application program and requesting a resource release on expiration of the valid time period.

Abstract: A coding and/or decoding system includes: a code-word table for storing therein a plurality of code words, which are capable of being decoded both in forward and backward directions and which are formed so that delimiters of the code words are capable of being identified by a predetermined weight of the code words, so that the code words correspond to different source symbols; an encoder for selecting code words corresponding to inputted source symbols from the code-word table; and a synchronization interval setting part for preparing coded data every predetermined interval using the code words selected by the encoder and for inserting stuffing codes capable of being decoded in the backward direction. Thus, it is possible to decrease useless bit patterns to enhance the coding efficiency by smaller amounts of calculation and storage, and to decode variable length codes both in the forward and backward directions even if the synchronization interval is set every interval using the stuffing bits.

Abstract: If the residual capacity of a recording medium in an image capturing apparatus becomes five or less, the image capturing apparatus wirelessly transmits a command signal to an image recording apparatus to turn on a power supply of the image recording apparatus. Then, in response to a standby signal from the image recording apparatus, the image capturing apparatus wirelessly transmits the image data recorded in the recording device to the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: A motion image recording apparatus includes a shutter button. When the shutter button is pressed, still image data in frames due to picture taking is subjected to compression by a JPEG CODEC. The compressed image data is written to an SDRAM that operates as a ring buffer. The compressed image data is read out of the SDRAM concurrently with such writing, and then recorded onto a memory card. As a result, long-time motion images are recorded on the memory card. However, the read rate from the SDRAM is slower than the write rate onto the SDRAM. Accordingly, the writing is suspended when a write position approaches a read position and they becomes a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A recording medium having a data management structure capable of efficiently determining whether or not an outline image representing the outline of an original image and character information representing additional contents are added, and an motion-picture voice recording/reproducing apparatus for improving a retrieving operation factor of the recorded original image by generating and outputting the outline image from the original image even when the outline image is not added. Recording position information of images representing an outline of motion-picture and a voice signal, recording position information of character information representing additional contents relating to the motion-picture and voice signals, and/or information representing that the images representing the outline or the character information is not set by a user or by a system, are recorded to, and reproduced from, the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording medium such as a video CD, for recording both audio and still picture data, has all audio data recorded on successive tracks within one recording region and data of all of the still pictures recorded together within another recording region as successive data sets expressing respective ones of a plurality of groups of still pictures. Each of recorded sets of track control information specifies, for the corresponding track, a still picture group which includes all of the still pictures that are to be displayed during playback of that track, those pictures (within that group) which are actually to be displayed during that playback, and respective display starting time points for the specified pictures.

Abstract: A data reception apparatus that includes a storage unit 263 for storing a direct directory message body specifying a data block identifier by the reference name, a key information selection unit 258 for obtaining the reference name, a reception unit 152 for receiving multiplexed data of indirect directory message blocks, data blocks, and the direct directory message body data, a separation unit 254 for separating the multiplexed data, a directly obtaining unit 264 for outputting the data block identifier using the direct directory message body, a selection unit 155 for outputting the identifier using indirect directory message bodies, a directory message body obtaining unit 156, an indirect obtaining unit 257, a data block selection unit 253 for selecting the data block according to the output identifier and for extracting a data file, a selection unit 261 for restoring and storing the direct directory message body, and a restoration unit 262.