Abstract: An audio-feature analyzer automatically detects points of change in audio signals to be processed. A central processing unit (CPU) obtains point-of-change information indicating positions of the points of change in the audio signals, and the point-of-change information is recorded on a data storage device. The CPU identifies point-of-change information in accordance with an instruction input by a user via a key operation unit, and audio data corresponding to the point-of-change information identified is located so that processing such as playback of audio data to be processed can be started therefrom.

Abstract: In EMD service, when a user listens to a sample of a musical piece, the user listens to the sample of the musical piece being reproduced by an EMD client on judgment of the EMD client itself without the user performing an operation for starting the trial listening reproduction. Specifically, when the user presses a upward key 44 or a downward key 45 in a state in which a musical piece presenting page 91 as a list of musical pieces (musical piece information for identifying them) is displayed, the EMD client updates a musical piece to be reproduced for trial listening, and displays only the information of that musical piece in inverse video 92. The EMD client obtains trial listening data of the musical piece from an EMD server and reproduces the musical piece (one part thereof) corresponding to the trial listening data from a speaker 21 on judgment of the EMD client itself without the user performing an operation for starting the trial listening reproduction.

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: The present invention is intended to provide a content providing system having a terminal and a server. The terminal includes a selector for selecting search information from presentation information presented to a user; a search information transmitter for transmitting the search information selected by the selecting means to the server; and a content data receiver for receiving content data corresponding to the search information supplied from the server. The server includes a storage device for storing the content data corresponding to the search information; a searcher for searching the storage means for the content data corresponding to the search information supplied from the search information transmitter of the terminal; and a content data transmitter for transmitting the content data retrieved from the storage information to the terminal. Consequently, the novel constitution allows the user to obtain content data with simple and easy operations.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first storage section for storing a plurality of pieces of contents information, a second storage section for storing a plurality of pieces of contents information, a control section for accessing the contents information stored in the first storage section and the second storage section based on a single set of management information for managing the contents information stored in the first storage section and the second storage section, a communication section for interconnecting the first storage section, the second storage section and the control section for communication, and an accounting setting section for setting an amount of money to be imposed on a predetermined user in response to use of the first storage section or the second storage section.