Abstract: A hash function and a service key are stored in advance in an EEPROM of a DVD player serving as a source. In an EEPROM of a personal computer (PC) serving as a sink, on the other hand, its ID and a license key are stored beforehand. The DVD player requests the PC to transmit the ID. The DVD player then applies the hash function to data resulting from concatenation of the ID with the service key to generate a license key(=hash(ID∥service13 key)). Subsequently, the DVD player generates a source side session key and encrypts the session key by using the generated license key. Then, the DVD player transmits the encrypted source side session key to the PC. The PC decrypts the encrypted source side session key by using the license key stored in its EEPROM to produce a sink side session key which has a value equal to that of the source side session key.

Abstract: A video editing device captures and stores selected video images currently being displayed on a television or other video viewing device and the accompanying audio information. The saved video images and accompanying audio information are preferably stored in a memory storage device for later retrieval and further editing by the viewer. Preferably, the memory storage device is a hard disk drive coupled to the television through an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. Alternatively, the memory device is included within the television for storing the series of images. Preferably, the viewer initiates the record operation when viewing a video stream by pressing an editing record button on a remote control device. In response to an editing record signal from the remote control device, the television will then initiate the recording of the information currently being displayed by routing the information to the memory storage device.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transmitting an isochronous video stream of data at a desired frame rate from a source device to a receiving device. A video frame is part of an isochronous stream of video data which is transmitted over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. The desired frame rate is determined by the receiving device. The source device preferably determines a proper ratio of data packets versus video frames in response to the particular frame rate required and a cycle time for isochronous data. This ratio of data packets versus video frames rarely computes to an integer result. Accordingly, the source device preferably generates two groups of frames. A first group contains an integer value of packets nearest to and above the desired overall average ratio of data packets versus video frames. The source device generates a second group of frames where each frame from this second group contains an integer value of packets nearest to and below the ratio of packets versus video frames.

Abstract: A bus management node 11 has a register for channels in use REG1 and a bus capacity register REG2. Before starting the synchronous communication, each node 12 transmits a read-out command to the register for channels in use REG1 and the register for channels in use REG1 in order to read out their contents for ascertaining the number of the un-used channel and the residual capacity. If there is any un-used channel and any residual bus capacity, the node 12 transmits write commands to these registers REG1 and REG2 so that the number of the channel to be in use and the capacity of the bus to be in use will be stored in the register for channels in use REG1 and the bus capacity register REG2. This enables bus management to be achieved easily in a system performing synchronous communication between plural nodes connected to the bus.

Abstract: A recording medium cartridge includes a memory circuit for storing information concerning signals recorded on the recording medium within the cartridge. The information is stored in the memory circuit in the form of a hierarchic data structure which includes a plurality of data packets having a predetermined form and length. Each data packet includes a code indicative of a level in the data structure to which the data packet belongs. At least some of the data packets include data indicative of starting and ending positions on the recording medium of recorded signals which the data packet represents. The hierarchic (or “tree”) data structure facilitates rapid retrieval and reproduction of the signals recorded on the recording medium, particularly when the recording medium is a magnetic tape. The tree structure also facilitates storage of information in connection with recording of additional signals on the recording medium.

Abstract: A hash function and a service key are stored in advance in an EEPROM of a DVD player serving as a source. In an EEPROM of a personal computer (PC) serving as a sink, on the other hand, its ID and a license key are stored beforehand. The DVD player requests the PC to transmit the ID. The DVD player then applies the hash function to data resulting from concatenation of the ID with the service key to generate a license key (=hash (ID || service_key)). Subsequently, the DVD player generates a source side session key and encrypts the session key by using the generated license key. Then, the DVD player transmits the encrypted source side session key to the PC. The PC decrypts the encrypted source side session key by using the license key stored in its EEPROM to produce a sink side session key which has a value equal to that of the source side session key.

Abstract: An isochronous data pipe provides a bi-directional path for data between an application and a bus structure. The isochronous data pipe includes the ability to send, receive and perform manipulations on any isochronous stream of data, including data on any number of isochronous channels. The isochronous data pipe is a programmable sequencer that operates on the stream of isochronous data as it passes through the isochronous data pipe. The isochronous data pipe is programmed by an application to perform specific operations on the stream of data before the data is either transmitted across the bus structure or sent to the application, thereby pre-processing and manipulating the data before it is delivered to its destination. The operations are performed on both the packet header and the data field of the data packet. The isochronous data pipe can be stopped and started on the occurrence of specific events.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a peripheral device connected to a telecommunications network via a telephone line and connected to a multimedia network via a high-speed serial interface. The peripheral device establishes and maintains multiple logical connections between devices in the multimedia network and devices in the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A television with multiple display windows and placement dependent cursor and function control is configured to receive and simultaneously display video and graphics input from multiple devices, including but not limited to personal computers, video cassette recorders, settop boxes, video cameras and video disk players, as well as display video input signals from cable, antenna and satellite sources. The size of each display window is adjustable to encompass a predetermined amount of the display screen of the television. Multiple input windows driven by multiple devices can be viewed simultaneously. One or more cursor control and input devices are used to control the operation of the television and of the devices driving the display windows. The cursor control and input devices control the position of the cursor on the television screen.

Abstract: The CGMS unacceptable recorder accepts transmission frames only when the copyright protection information in a transmission header transmitted to the IEEE1394 serial bus indicates copy free. The CGMS acceptable recorder accepts transmission frames when the copyright protection information in the transmission header indicates copy free. When the copyright protection information in the transmission header indicates compliance with the copyright information contained in the content of the transmission frame, the copyright information in the content is fetched based on the signal format type information of the transmission header. A copy management information changeable apparatus such as a computer cannot accept data other than copy free signals from the digital interface.

Abstract: Methods for realizing advanced graphical user interface (GUI) in panel subunit. The present invention defines, in one embodiment, a focus in user action and a focus out user action for panel subunit. The focus in/out user actions, when received by a controller device, are then passed to the target device. When the target device receives the focus in/out user actions, the target device will be able to update the GUI appropriately. The present invention also provides a user action pass-through element for conditionally passing through user actions to the target device. In one embodiment, when a scroll button that is implemented with the user action pass-through element is in focus, focus navigation commands received by the controller are passed through to the target device. By using the focus in/out user actions and by using the conditional user action pass-through mechanisms of the present invention, more complicated and advanced GUI, such as an electronic programming guide (EPG) can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of address management in a net having a plurality of buses linked by a plurality of bus bridges where the net has only one branch bus with multiple bus bridges. A local identification address is assigned to each node on a branch bus and a bus number is assigned to each bus other than the branch bus. The bus number includes a common base and the local identification address for the node having a portal that connects to that bus.

Abstract: A MPEG video decoder and MPEG audio decoder respectively decode MPEG video data and MPEG audio data separated by a demultiplexer. A digital interface sends and receives MPEG video data, MPEG audio data and supplementary data between the demultiplexer and external devices. The digital interface detects a flag indicating a discontinuity in a program from an input signal, and a microcomputer performs control so as to initialize the buffer memories.

Abstract: A bus management node 11 has a register for channels in use REG1 and a bus capacity register REG2. Before starting the synchronous communication, each node 12 transmits a read-out command to the register for channels in use REG1 in order to read out their contents for ascertaining the number of the un-used channel and the residual capacity. If there is any un-used channel and any residual bus capacity, the node 12 transmits write commands to these registers REG1 and REG2 so that the number of the channel to be in use and the capacity of the bus to be in use will be stored in the register for channels in use REG1 and the bus capacity register REG2. This enables bus management to be achieved easily in a system performing synchronous communication between plural nodes connected to the bus.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for capturing and processing continuous media-based data streams transmitted over an IEEE 1394 serial bus manages the use of both receive buffers and process buffers in order to minimize the amount of captured data that is discarded due to unavailable process buffers. When receiving a stream of continuous data, the data is captured and stored within a current receive buffer. When the current receive buffer is full, the captured data within the receive buffer is then read out, processed and stored within a process buffer, if a process buffer is available on a cached list of process buffers. When full of processed data, the process buffer is then transferred to an application for utilization or further processing of the processed data. If the process buffer is not completely filled, then the process buffer is added back to the cached list of process buffers.

Abstract: When many buses are provided, addition/omission of a bus frequently occurs. Whenever the addition/omission of the bus occurs, a configuration process of the overall network system must be performed. Thus, interruption of data communication occurs frequently. Second bridges are provided that are bridges each having a function of performing a configuration process for assigning individual identification numbers to a lower network. The second bridges are used to connect buses to one another.

Abstract: An isochronous data pipe provides a bidirectional path for data between an application and a bus structure. The isochronous data pipe includes the ability to send, receive and perform manipulations on any isochronous stream of data, including data on any number of isochronous channels. The isochronous data pipe is a programmable sequencer that operates on the stream of isochronous data as it passes through the isochronous data pipe. The isochronous data pipe is programmed by an application to perform specific operations on the stream of data before the data is either transmitted across the bus structure or sent to the application, thereby pre-processing and manipulating the data before it is delivered to its destination. The operations are performed on both the packet header and the data field of the data packet. The isochronous data pipe can be stopped and started on the occurrence of specific events.

Abstract: The invention provides an enciphering apparatus and method, a deciphering apparatus and method and an information processing apparatus and method by which illegal copying can be prevented with certainty. Data enciphered by a 1394 interface of a DVD player is transmitted to a personal computer and a magneto-optical disk apparatus through a 1394 bus. In the magneto-optical disk apparatus with which a change to a function is not open to a user, the received data is deciphered by a 1394 interface. In contrast, in the personal computer with which a change to a function is open to a user, the enciphered data is deciphered using a time variable key by a 1394 interface, and a result of the decipherment is further deciphered using a session key by an application section.

Abstract: Digital video tape recorder which provides for the simultaneous recording of digital video signals and transmitting of those digital video signals either as analog or digital output signals, for example, for monitoring. In one mode, a recordable digital video signal is produced from a received digital video signal and recorded simultaneously with the conversion of the received digital video signal to an analog video signal which is supplied as an output. In another mode, an analog video signal is received, converted to a digital video signal for recording, and the converted digital video signal is simultaneously transmitted as an output video signal.

Abstract: An improved digital signal processor is provided, and includes a tuner for selecting a single transport stream containing a plurality of multiplexed channels from a plurality of transmitted transport streams, a demultiplexer for separating video data and audio data corresponding to a single program contained in the selected transport stream by referring to supplementary data in the selected transport stream, a decoder for decoding the separated video and audio data, an input connected to an external device for receiving video data, audio data and supplementary data from the external device, and for sending video data, audio data and supplementary data to the demultiplexer, and a controller for receiving a program discontinuity data contained in the supplementary data received from the external device, and initializing the decoder in response to the program discontinuity data. A method of applying the digital signal processor is also provided.