Abstract: The data recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a transcoding module and a recording and reproducing module. The transcoding module transcodes a video or audio signal based on one compression method to a signal based on another compression method, the video or audio signal being inputted through a tuner. The recording and reproducing module records, to a recording medium, the transcoded video or audio signal together with the inputted video or audio signal, the transcoded video or audio signal having been transcoded by the transcoding module. The recording and reproducing module records one of the video or audio signals, which are identical but based on different compression methods, with the other video or audio signal being written to the recording medium as a hidden file.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing module records a signal (broadcast program) based on a first compression method to a recording medium, and during a period of time during which recording is not performed, reproduces the signal based on the first compression method, which has been recorded to the recording medium. Then, a transcoding module transcodes the signal based on the first compression method to a signal based on a second compression method. The signal based on the second compression method, whose transcoding has been completed, is recorded to the recording medium; and the signal based on the first compression method is erased from the recording medium. The controller refers to recording history information and sets a schedule including a target broadcast program to be transcoded and a time zone in which the target broadcast program is transcoded.

Abstract: A biometric information acquisition apparatus includes: a light guide that guides a light beam through a plurality of light reflective surfaces; and an image pickup unit that receives the light beam output from the light guide and captures a subject image. The light guide includes an input surface that receives the subject image and is provided at a front surface side; a first light reflective surface that is opposed to the input surface and is provided at a back surface side; and a second light reflective surface that extends in a thickness direction of the light guide. A subject image can be acquired within a desired range by employing the light guide, while suppressing an increase in size of the biometric information acquisition apparatus.

Abstract: A biometric information acquisition apparatus includes a light illuminator to illuminate a subject with light at least over a range corresponding to a pixel arrangement region where a plurality of pixels to receive light from the subject are arranged, and an imager placed on the same plane as the light illuminator and including the pixel arrangement region where the plurality of pixels are arranged.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing module records a signal (broadcast program) based on a first compression method to a recording medium, and during a period of time during which recording is not performed, reproduces the signal based on the first compression method, which has been recorded to the recording medium. Then, a transcoding module transcodes the signal based on the first compression method to a signal based on a second compression method. The signal based on the second compression method, whose transcoding has been completed, is recorded to the recording medium; and the signal based on the first compression method is erased from the recording medium. The controller refers to recording history information and sets a schedule including a target broadcast program to be transcoded and a time zone in which the target broadcast program is transcoded.

Abstract: The data recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a transcoding module and a recording and reproducing module. The transcoding module transcodes a video or audio signal based on one compression method to a signal based on another compression method, the video or audio signal being inputted through a tuner. The recording and reproducing module records, to a recording medium, the transcoded video or audio signal together with the inputted video or audio signal, the transcoded video or audio signal having been transcoded by the transcoding module. The recording and reproducing module records one of the video or audio signals, which are identical but based on different compression methods, with the other video or audio signal being written to the recording medium as a hidden file.

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus includes a first communication unit for transmitting and receiving a nondirectional communication wave, a second communication unit for transmitting and receiving a directional communication wave and a transmitted/received data control unit for controlling transmission and reception of the low-rate data through the first communication unit and the high-rate data through the second communication unit, thereby even under a narrow environment where a number of the radio communication apparatuses transmit and receive a large amount of the high-rate data to and from one another in a short space, transmitting and receiving an image without interruption and quality deterioration.

Abstract: An image and sound recording/reproducing apparatus easy for use with a personal computer or the like, to record/reproduce image and sound compressed data, with ease and convenience in reproduction, editing operations and the like being taken into consideration. A still picture and a sound are inputted into an image input terminal and a sound input terminal, respectively. The still picture inputted is compressed in accordance with the JPEG system by a JPEG codec, and is recorded in a recording device through a multiplex separation unit as still picture compressed data. Also, sound inputted is compressed in accordance with the MPEG audio system by a MPEG codec, and is recorded in the recording device through the multiplex separation unit as sound compressed data. A controller controls the compression process and recording through a control signal through a mode selection signal input terminal or a shutter trigger input terminal.

Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting a color temperature of the ambient light of an object is provided in a video camera. A .gamma.-correction circuit for subjecting a luminance signal Y obtained by processing an output signal of a solid-state imaging device to .gamma.-correction with a fixed gamma coefficient changes the correction level of the luminance signal Y in accordance with the fluctuation of the color temperature detected by the detection circuit. As a result, it is prevented that in a low color temperature, a red portion of a reproduced image becomes abnormally bright. Further, there is provided an illuminance detection circuit. In a low illuminance, the correction level of the .gamma.-correction circuit is reduced to prevent mixture of the noise.