Abstract: An information playback apparatus is provided, which can provide a sound which sounds natural by controlling an abrupt change in a tempo in the case of random access playback. When a cue point is registered, audio data which makes seamless playback possible is stored into a cue point memory, and further, the beat density of a playback sound being played when the cue point is registered is measured and stored. When the cue point is specified to start random access playback later, a ratio of the beat density (?×DBPM) of a playback sound being played when the cue point is specified and the beat density (DBPMreg) stored in advance is found. Then, the random access playback is started after the beat density of a playback sound to be played after random access playback is started is corrected to be equal to the beat density when a start of the random access playback is specified.

Abstract: An audio signal processor performs a signal processing on the first audio signal and the second audio signal in correspondence with an operation to produce an output. The processor comprises and operation device, a signal processing device and a control device. The operation device is operatively movable between one end and the other end. The one end is associated with the first audio signal and the other end is associated with the second audio signal. The signal processing device performs a signal processing on any one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal to provide at least one kind of predetermined effect. The control device controls the signal processing device so that the effect is provided for any one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal at a predetermined timing based on a position of the operation device and a moving direction thereof.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus is provided, which has a new cue point setting function with excellent operability for enabling new application form. Specifically, a cue point for specifying a start position for playing back a disc, and additional information or disc identification information corresponding to the cue point are stored in a backup memory. The additional information or the disc identification information is associated with the cue point and shown on a display according to a proper operation of operation buttons and a turning member. When the operation buttons and the turning member are properly operated, a system controller edits and adds the additional information, or edits the disc identification information in the backup memory. When the operation buttons and the turning member are properly operated to enter retrieval information, information stored in the backup memory is compared and retrieved, and the retrieved information associated with a cue point is shown on the display.

Abstract: Both of one audio information and another audio information are recorded on a same information record medium. An audio information reproducing apparatus is provided with: a detecting device for detecting said one audio information and said another audio information from the information record medium and also detecting a time period required for one beat of the detected another audio information; and an accumulating device for accumulating said one audio information detected from the information record medium to thereby continue reproducing and outputting said one audio information through the accumulating device. The audio information reproducing apparatus is also provided with a controlling device for controlling the detecting device to detect said another audio information and the time period required for one beat, within a time duration that the accumulated one audio information is being reproduced and outputted through the accumulating device.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus which can perform random access playback, reverse playback, shuttle playback, etc. quickly and seamlessly. A signal processing unit stores audio data read out from a disc into a buffer memory, and performs information processing for audio playback based on the audio data in the buffer memory. Audio data of certain time durations respectively corresponding to a past and a future with respect to the audio data currently being subjected to audio playback is replenished and stored into the buffer memory. When a jog dial is manipulated, reverse playback, shuttle playback, etc. are performed quickly and seamlessly based on the audio data in the buffer memory.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus is provided, which provides a more convenient operation when a piece of music or the like is switched to another to be played continuously and to play a sound which sounds natural during the switching manipulation. When a loop-in button key is manipulated to be ON, the number of beats (beat density) BPMreal per unit time of music or the like being played is measured, and a time (60/BPMreal)×Kbpm in proportion to a ratio of the beat density BPMreal to a certain beat density Kbpm pre-set by the user or the like is computed. Then, audio data, such as music, corresponding to a range from a point at which the loop-in button key is manipulated to be ON to a point at which the computed time has passed, is stored into a loop data memory. Consequently, repetitive playback is performed based on audio data stored in the loop data memory at a tempo (the number of beats per unit time) adjusted to the certain beat density Kbpm until a loop-off button key is manipulated to be ON.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus is provided, which can provide a sound which sounds natural by controlling an abrupt change in a tempo in the case of random access playback. When a cue point is registered, audio data which makes seamless playback possible is stored into a cue point memory, and further, the beat density of a playback sound being played when the cue point is registered is measured and stored. When the cue point is specified to start random access playback later, a ratio of the beat density (&agr;×DBPM) of a playback sound being played when the cue point is specified and the beat density (DBPMreg) stored in advance is found. Then, the random access playback is started after the beat density of a playback sound to be played after random access playback is started is corrected to be equal to the beat density when a start of the random access playback is specified.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus which can perform random access playback, reverse playback, shuttle playback, etc. quickly and seamlessly. A signal processing unit stores audio data read out from a disc into a buffer memory, and performs information processing for audio playback based on the audio data in the buffer memory. Audio data of certain time durations respectively corresponding to a past and a future with respect to the audio data currently being subjected to audio playback is replenished and stored into the buffer memory. When a jog dial is manipulated, reverse playback, shuttle playback, etc. are performed quickly and seamlessly based on the audio data in the buffer memory.

Abstract: An audio information reproducing apparatus reproduces one audio information and reproduces another audio information after said one audio information. The apparatus is provided with: a detecting device for detecting one time period required for one beat of said one audio information, and also detecting another time period for one beat of said another audio information; and a reproducing device for reproducing said another audio information continuously to said one audio information while controlling the detected another time period to be coincident with the detected one time period. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus is provided with: a detecting device for detecting one beat timing which is a timing of a beat of said one audio information and also detecting another beat timing which is a timing of a beat of said another audio information, so that the reproducing device controls the detected another beat timing to be coincident with the detected one beat timing.

Abstract: An audio signal processor performs a signal processing on the first audio signal and the second audio signal in correspondence with an operation to produce an output. The processor comprises and operation device, a signal processing device and a control device. The operation device is operatively movable between one end and the other end. The one end is associated with the first audio signal and the other end is associated with the second audio signal. The signal processing device performs a signal processing on any one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal to provide at least one kind of predetermined effect. The control device controls the signal processing device so that the effect is provided for any one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal at a predetermined timing based on a position of the operation device and a moving direction thereof.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus is provided, which has a new cue point setting function with excellent operability for enabling new application form. Specifically, a cue point for specifying a start position for playing back a disc, and additional information or disc identification information corresponding to the cue point are stored in a backup memory. The additional information or the disc identification information is associated with the cue point and shown on a display according to a proper operation of operation buttons and a turning member. When the operation buttons and the turning member are properly operated, a system controller edits and adds the additional information, or edits the disc identification information in the backup memory. When the operation buttons and the turning member are properly operated to enter retrieval information, information stored in the backup memory is compared and retrieved, and the retrieved information associated with a cue point is shown on the display.

Abstract: Information reproduced and output from an information reproduction device such as a CD player is recorded and thereby copied by an information recording device such as a cassette deck. Once a desired dubbing has been completed, the recording medium such as a CD accommodated in the information reproducing device is automatically discharged.

Abstract: A subcode graphics reproduction control apparatus which can automatically execute fade operations between ordinary video images and graphics images. A memory for storing graphics data presenting particular images and transparency data defining transparency of the particular images is provided, the graphics data is read out in a subcode signal format from the memory according to a fade command and sent to a decoder, and with this operation a graphics video signal is generated. Also, the transparency data is read out from the memory according to a fade command, the transparency data value is gradually changed from a specified value in one direction, and a video signal input from outside and the graphics video signal output from the decoder are mixed at a mixing ratio corresponding to the transparency data.

Abstract: The signal switching ouput device comprises an attenuator which attenuates a brightness of an input image signal, a first switching means which alternatively outputs an output from said attenuator or said input image signal, delay circuits which delay a character signal by a specified time, a second switch which alternatively provides an output from said first switch and a character signal delayer by the specified time, and an switch instructing means which switches between said first switch and said second switch according to said character signal, and outputs an RGB signal showing a character while delaying it and lowers a brightness level of input image signals composing a background image during a specified period before and after the output of the RGB signal, so that a character displayed on a display unit is trimmed by a dark lines and are very easy to recognize.

Abstract: In CDs, LVDs, DATs and so forth, reproduction is made from a section after a fixed time (a fixed number of tracks) lapse from the head rather than reproducing from the head of a plurality of information pieces. In these intermediate sections are entered, for example, vocals, and therefore the operator can select a desired information piece easily.