Abstract: It is determined whether the broadcast program of the stored video signal is a broadcast program of a predetermined genre. A predetermined feature image portion of each of frames in the video signal of the broadcast program of the predetermined genre is detected from the stored video signal. Video data of only a feature image portion of a frame satisfying a predetermined appearance condition from the detected predetermined feature image portion is extracted. A video signal representing an image including a feature image portion represented by the video data is created and output as the menu, each time the video data is extracted.

Abstract: A calculating unit calculates a preference level of a user for each of a plurality of images based on data on time in a viewing history of the image, and a control unit performs a display control to display an image with a high preference level from among preference levels calculated by the calculating unit, and performs a play-back control to play music along with display of the image based on data on a date of any one of shooting and storing the image, and data on a period and number of times of listening the music. The music having a large number of times of listening within a certain period that includes the date of any one of shooting and storing the image.

Abstract: A contents retrieval system of the invention includes: a contents database constructed by a plurality of contents groups classified in accordance with classification criteria; a relation information setting unit which sets relation information indicative of relation among contents included in the plurality of contents groups; a relation information database for storing the relation information; and a control unit which selects a plurality of contents having high relation to each other from the plurality of contents stored in the contents database on the basis of the relation information in the relation information database and simultaneously reproducing the selected plurality of contents.

Abstract: A video recording apparatus is provided with: a primary storage of ring buffer type; a removable type secondary storage; a receiving device receiving broadcasting video signals simultaneously; an information detecting device detecting user's preference information; a program detecting device detecting broadcasting programs while assigning priorities to the broadcasting programs according to the preference information; a secondary storage control device detecting, as archived recording programs, broadcasting programs having higher priorities among the assigned priorities, acquiring the video signals of the archived recording programs, and causing the video signals to be recorded in the secondary storage; and primary storage control device detecting, as regular recording programs, several broadcasting programs which may be received as the video signals among the broadcasting programs according to the assigned priorities, acquiring the video signals of the regular recording programs from the receiving device, an

Abstract: A digest playback method involves accumulating plural pieces of information data each piece indicating information, selecting any one of plural pieces of information data responding to an input operation, reproducing information according to one piece of information data selected, detecting an information reproduction frequency for each of plural pieces of data, and, in response to a digest playback command, digest reproducing the information being in an order based on the number of the information reproducing frequency for the plural pieces of information data. The method, thus, provides the digest playback of the information which is expected that the user wants to really see and listen to from the recorded information.

Abstract: It is determined whether the broadcast program of the stored video signal is a broadcast program of a predetermined genre. A predetermined feature image portion of each of frames in the video signal of the broadcast program of the predetermined genre is detected from the stored video signal. Video data of only a feature image portion of a frame satisfying a predetermined appearance condition from the detected predetermined feature image portion is extracted. A video signal representing an image including a feature image portion represented by the video data is created and output as the menu, each time the video data is extracted.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of .alpha.-tocopherol. According to the process, a condensation reaction between trimethylhydroquinone and a specific phytol derivative or isophytol is conducted in the presence of any one of the following solvents:(i) a carbonate ester;(ii) a lower fatty acid ester represented by the following formula:R.sup.1 COOR.sup.2wherein R.sup.1 means a lower alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 means a lower alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms with the proviso that methyl acetate and ethyl acetate are excluded;(iii) a mixed solvent of a nonpolar solvent and a lower alcohol having 1-5 carbon atoms; and(iv) a mixed solvent of the nonpolar solvent and the lower fatty acid ester.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of .alpha.-tocopherol. According to the process, a condensation reaction between trimethylhydroquinone and a specific phytol derivative or isophytol is conducted in the presence of any one of the following solvents:(i) a carbonate ester,(ii) a lower fatty acid ester represented by the following formula:R.sup.1 COOR.sup.2wherein R.sup.1 means a lower alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 means a lowe alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms with the proviso that methyl acetate and ethyl acetate are excluded;(iii) a mixed solvent of a nonpolar solvent and a lower alcohol having 1-5 carbon atoms; and(iv) a mixed solvent of the nonpolar solvent and the lower fatty acid ester.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of .alpha.-tocopherol. According to the process, a condensation reaction between trimethylhydroquinone and a specific phytol derivative or isophytol is conducted in the presence of any one of the following solvents:(i) a carbonate ester,(ii) a lower fatty acid ester represented by the following formula:R.sup.1 COOR.sup.2wherein R.sup.1 means a lower alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 means a lower alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms with the proviso that methyl acetate and ethyl acetate are excluded;(iii) a mixed solvent of a nonpolar solvent and a lower alcohol having 1-5 carbon atoms; and(iv) a mixed solvent of the nonpolar solvent and the lower fatty acid ester.