Abstract: An electronic apparatus, having functions on which use limitations can be imposed, in which a variety of functions are loaded on the electronic apparatus by hardware circuitry or by computer programs. Use of a certain function(s) is limited by setting a function limiting flag to “1”, provided that an other function(s) are usable within a period of a preset number of days of possible test use. An application is made from the apparatus to a key issuing source for purchasing usable functions. The key issuing source then issues a limitation removing key. The limitation removing key may be acquired from the key issuing source by a mobile phone terminal and transmitted to the apparatus by infrared ray communication. The apparatus rewrites the function limiting flag by this limitation removing key. If the number of days of actual test use has reached the number of days of possible test use, the CPU of the apparatus does not carry out the function(s) the function limiting flag of which is “1”.

Abstract: A personal computer that is a controller transmits a reserve request for reserving a remote control. An MD recorder/player that is a target sets a reserve mode corresponding to the reserve request. The MD recorder/player prohibits another controller from performing a remote control by another controller. In addition, the MD recorder/player prohibits local key operations other than reproduction keys, a stop key, and an eject key. Thus, only the personal computer can perform an operation control for updating management information of the MD recorder/player. Thus, a mismatch of management information due to a remote control of another controller and a local key operation can be prevented.

Abstract: An electronic device system of the invention has a controlling device and a controlled device interconnected via a data bus which complies with a predetermined communication format and which allows data to be exchanged between the devices. In a command transmission/reception transaction, the controlling device transmits a command to the controlled device. If an interim response is returned from the controlled device, the controlling device regards the transaction as complete and terminates the process without waiting for receipt of a final response from the controlled device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a controller device, a communication system and a controlling method for transmitting commands for designating two modes used in a setup comprising a controller device and a plurality of target devices reserved by the controller device, the devices being interconnected by a data bus for transmitting data in a predetermined communication format, one of the two modes allowing the target devices to communicate with one another, the other mode inhibiting the reserved target devices from thus communicating. Also disclosed are a communication system and a controlling method for varying between such two modes a standby time that must elapse before a command can be accepted following a bus reset, one mode permitting communication between the reserved target devices, the other mode inhibiting such intercommunication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a controller device, a communication system and a controlling method for transmitting commands for designating two modes used in a setup comprising a controller device and a plurality of target devices reserved by the controller device, the devices being interconnected by a data bus for transmitting data in a predetermined communication format, one of the two modes allowing the target devices to communicate with one another, the other mode inhibiting the reserved target devices from thus communicating. Also disclosed are a communication system and a controlling method for varying between such two modes a standby time that must elapse before a command can be accepted following a bus reset, one mode permitting communication between the reserved target devices, the other mode inhibiting such intercommunication.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit and apparatus is disclosed which can prevent illegal utilization of content data with a higher degree of certainty. A hardware module controls utilization of content data based on right information of the content data. A nonvolatile memory stores a first check value for checking the compatibility of an apparatus identifier transferred from an apparatus in which the hardware module is incorporated and a second check value for checking the compatibility of the right information of the content data. The hardware module checks the compatibility of the transferred apparatus identifier based on the apparatus identifier and the first check value, checks the compatibility of the right information in response to the right information and the second check value and controls the utilization of the content data based on the right information in response to results of the checks.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus, having functions on which use limitations can be imposed, in which a variety of functions are loaded on the electronic apparatus by hardware circuitry or by computer programs. Use of a certain function(s) is limited by setting a function limiting flag to “1”, provided that an other function(s) are usable within a period of a preset number of days of possible test use. An application is made from the apparatus to a key issuing source for purchasing usable functions. The key issuing source then issues a limitation removing key. The limitation removing key may be acquired from the key issuing source by a mobile phone terminal and transmitted to the apparatus by infrared ray communication. The apparatus rewrites the function limiting flag by this limitation removing key. If the number of days of actual test use has reached the number of days of possible test use, the CPU of the apparatus does not carry out the function(s) the function limiting flag of which is “1”.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording digital data compressively encoded by use of a predetermined scheme having: receiving means for receiving a transport stream from an external unit connected through a digital bus; extracting means for extracting from the received transport stream a transport stream packet having a predetermined packet identification (PID); acquiring means for acquiring the compressively encoded digital data arranged in the transport stream packet extracted by the extracting means; and recording means for recording the acquired digital data onto a predetermined recording medium.

Abstract: In a network of an IEEE 1394 system or the like, a data transmission rate can be properly controlled by an apparatus to receive the transmitted data. An apparatus for transmitting data is set as a first apparatus and each of one or more apparatus for receiving the transmitted data from the first apparatus is set as an external apparatus. The number of the external apparatuses to which the data are to be transmitted is indicated. A transmission speed is varied upon receipt of a control command from one of the external apparatuses to which a control right is given. The control right is returned when the control command is not given from the external apparatuses to which the data are transmitted for a predetermined period of time. The control right is returned to the first apparatus if there are a plurality of apparatuses to receive the data from the first apparatus.

Abstract: When an interruption of a bus reset occurs in accordance with the IEEE1394 standard at the time of turn-on of a power source or the like, whether a loop connection has been made or not is discriminated. If it is determined that the loop connection has been made, “i.LINK NG” or “i.LINK LOOP” as a warning display showing that the loop connection has been made is displayed. By displaying such a warning, the user or the like can recognize the fact that the loop connection has been made. A measure for cancelling the loop connection can be performed. If it is determined that the loop connection is not performed, such a warning display is not performed but the ordinary operation according to the IEEE1394 standard is performed.

Abstract: In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD, and stored in a storage element, such as a hard disk drive, is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage element can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A personal computer that is a controller transmits a reserve request for reserving a remote control. An MD recorder/player that is a target sets a reserve mode corresponding to the reserve request. In other words, the MD recorder/player prohibits another controller from performing a remote control by another controller. In addition, the MD recorder/player prohibits local key operations other than reproduction keys, a stop key, and an eject key. Thus, only the personal computer can perform an operation control for updating for example TOC information of the MD recorder/player. Thus, a mismatch of TOC information due to a remote control of another controller and a local key operation can be prevented from taking place between the personal computer and the MD recorder/player.

Abstract: A personal computer that is a controller transmits a reserve request for reserving a remote control. An MD recorder/player that is a target sets a reserve mode corresponding to the reserve request. In other words, the MD recorder/player prohibits another controller from performing a remote control by another controller. In addition, the MD recorder/player prohibits local key operations other than reproduction keys, a stop key, and an eject key. Thus, only the personal computer can perform an operation control for updating for example TOC information of the MD recorder/player. Thus, a mismatch of TOC information due to a remote control of another controller and a local key operation can be prevented from taking place between the personal computer and the MD recorder/player.

Abstract: A personal computer that is a controller transmits a reserve request for reserving a remote control. An MD recorder/player that is a target sets a reserve mode corresponding to the reserve request. In other words, the MD recorder/player prohibits another controller from performing a remote control by another controller. In addition, the MD recorder/player prohibits local key operations other than reproduction keys, a stop key, and an eject key. Thus, only the personal computer can perform an operation control for updating for example TOC information of the MD recorder/player. Thus, a mismatch of TOC information due to a remote control of another controller and a local key operation can be prevented from taking place between the personal computer and the MD recorder/player.

Abstract: An information receiving apparatus instructs a storage device to be ready to perform a downloading operation. For example, the information receiving apparatus instructs the storage device to perform a setup for a recording wait status when the information receiving apparatus has the storage device start the downloading mode, and instructs to start and stop recording on a recording device by detecting the start and stop timing of recording data which a data transmitting section transmits. The information receiving apparatus also requests the storage device to report an operation condition at the storage device during the downloading mode. The information receiving apparatus determines a downloading-operation condition according to the operation-condition report sent from the storage device and appropriately controls the downloading operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a controller device, a communication system and a controlling method for transmitting commands for designating two modes used in a setup comprising a controller device and a plurality of target devices reserved by the controller device, the devices being interconnected by a data bus for transmitting data in a predetermined communication format, one of the two modes allowing the target devices to communicate with one another, the other mode inhibiting the reserved target devices from thus communicating. Also disclosed are a communication system and a controlling method for varying between such two modes a standby time that must elapse before a command can be accepted following a bus reset, one mode permitting communication between the reserved target devices, the other mode inhibiting such intercommunication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a controller device, a communication system and a controlling method for transmitting commands for designating two modes used in a setup comprising a controller device and a plurality of target devices reserved by the controller device, the devices being interconnected by a data bus for transmitting data in a predetermined communication format, one of the two modes allowing the target devices to communicate with one another, the other mode inhibiting the reserved target devices from thus communicating. Also disclosed are a communication system and a controlling method for varying between such two modes a standby time that must elapse before a command can be accepted following a bus reset, one mode permitting communication between the reserved target devices, the other mode inhibiting such intercommunication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a controller device, a communication system and a controlling method for transmitting commands for designating two modes used in a setup comprising a controller device and a plurality of target devices reserved by the controller device, the devices being interconnected by a data bus for transmitting data in a predetermined communication format, one of the two modes allowing the target devices to communicate with one another, the other mode inhibiting the reserved target devices from thus communicating. Also disclosed are a communication system and a controlling method for varying between such two modes a standby time that must elapse before a command can be accepted following a bus reset, one mode permitting communication between the reserved target devices, the other mode inhibiting such intercommunication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method and communication apparatus and method suitably for use in supplying the encoded data of accumulated music for example to a semiconductor memory or a portable device. In step S461, the content data enabled for check-in into an MS are identified. In step S462, a check-in process is executed. In step S463, it is determined whether or not the content data enabled for check-in have all been checked in. In step S464, an album to be checked out is determined. In step S465, one track is selected. In step S466, the selected track is determined whether or not it is enabled for check-out. In step S467, the capacity of the MS is confirmed. In step S468, a check-out operation is performed. In step S469, it is determined whether or not all tracks in the album to be checked out have been selected. The present invention is applicable to audio servers for example.

Abstract: An electronic device receives data containing content data transmitted through a bus in the form of a packet. The electronic equipment has a receiving portion, a judgment portion and an output controller. The receiving portion receives the data transmitted in the form of a packet through the bus. The judgment portion extracts copyright information from the data supplied from the reception portion, and judges on the basis of the copyright information thus extracted whether the content data contained in the data received are allowed to be copied. The output controller is supplied with the judgment result from the judgment portion to generate notification data corresponding to the judgment result.