Abstract: The moving picture real-time communications terminal comprises: an input unit which inputs an RGB video image signal; a conversion unit which converts the RGB video image signal into a YUV video image signal including Y, U and V video image signals; a compression and encoding unit which digitally converts the YUV video image signal outputted from the conversion unit into moving picture data, and compresses and encodes the moving picture data; a communications unit which sends and receives the moving picture data compressed and encoded by the compression and encoding unit, in real time, to and from a communications terminal of another party connected through a network; a bandwidth estimation unit which estimates change in a bandwidth of the network; a switching circuit which connects and disconnects output paths of the U and V video image signals from the conversion unit to the compression and encoding unit; and a switching control unit which disconnects the output paths of the U and V video image signals by o

Abstract: The moving picture real-time communications terminal comprises: an input unit which inputs an RGB video image signal; a conversion unit which converts the RGB video image signal into a YUV video image signal including Y, U and V video image signals; a compression and encoding unit which digitally converts the YUV video image signal outputted from the conversion unit into moving picture data, and compresses and encodes the moving picture data; a communications unit which sends and receives the moving picture data compressed and encoded by the compression and encoding unit, in real time, to and from a communications terminal of another party connected through a network; a bandwidth estimation unit which estimates change in a bandwidth of the network; a switching circuit which connects and disconnects output paths of the U and V video image signals from the conversion unit to the compression and encoding unit; and a switching control unit which disconnects the output paths of the U and V video image signals by o

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method operate using a removable medium such as a removable disk on which all necessary software and content are recorded. The information processing apparatus includes a removable disk drive for recording and reproducing an information signal onto or from the removable disk, a main memory and a flash memory for storing information, and a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the above-described parts such that when the removable disk is inserted into the removable disk drive, software is automatically loaded into the main memory and executed, necessary information is recorded on the removable disk, and, if the execution of the software is ended, the removable disk is ejected. An information processing apparatus based on this single medium activated platform (SMAP) architecture may serve as various devices depending on the application program or software that is stored on the removable disk.