Abstract: Content files and an index file for managing the content files are recorded in a recording medium. The index file includes, for example, a text file FTX, a thumbnail picture file FTH, and a property file FP. The files each have continuous fixed-length slots. The fixed-length slots are each managed by a slot number (index information) indicative of the order of arrangement thereof. Each file has a predetermined number of management information areas including one or a plurality of continuous fixed-length slots. The management information areas are identified by the index information of the first fixed-length slot. A predetermined entry has a slot number for identifying another entry. The data on the other entry can be acquired by detecting the location of the other entry on the index file.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a basic file manager that manages files stored on a storage medium using basic file management information stored on the storage medium; a specific file manager that manages a file of a specific type, among the managed files, using specific file management information stored on the storage medium as one of the files managed by the basic file manager; a reference-information manager that stores reference information relating to the specific file management information, the reference information having meanings corresponding to predetermined information items provided for each of the files and included in the basic file management information, and that updates the reference information in accordance with updating of the specific file management information; and a validity checker configured to check validity of the specific file management information by comparing the stored reference information with the information items having corresponding meanings in the basic f

Abstract: The present invention applies illustratively to an optical disk apparatus that handles an index file formed by a series of entries comprising extract information about files. In operation, the apparatus organizes a plurality of still picture files into a single movie file and registers anew the movie file into the index file.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a file management technique using indexes, wherein retrieval results and conditions for retrieval are recorded and stored on an entry for a virtual folder on the index for efficient later use. By this feature, objects for retrieval can be refined by using the recorded retrieval results, so that the processing for retrieval can substantially be simplified.

Abstract: A playback apparatus which plays back video or music contents, includes: a playback unit playing back the video or music contents recorded on a recording medium; an output unit outputting the video or music contents played back in the playback unit; and a control unit controlling at least an operation of the playback unit, wherein in the video or music contents, a quick reference mark is set at multiple places, in response to user manipulation, the control unit finds a start of a sequence in accordance with the quick reference mark to control the operation of the playback unit to play back the video or music contents, in response to user manipulation for the quick reference, the control unit varies a priority that expresses a degree served for the quick reference, and for the mark having a low priority, the control unit accepts no user manipulation for quick reference.

Abstract: A file managing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restoring deleted files with ease. When a user gives an instruction to delete a file 6, a parent entry number for the file 6 is changed from “1” to “2” in a property list having the entry number 6 associated with the file 6. Because the parent entry number that is set for the value “2” points to the entry of a recycle bin, the file 6 is placed in a virtually deleted state. Any virtually deleted file is later restored easily through simple processing.

Abstract: The present invention is applied, for example, to a video disk apparatus such that a new folder is produced on a recording medium in response to an operation of a folder switch which accepts an instruction to produce a folder and a result of image pickup is recorded under the produced folder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a file management apparatus for managing files, recorded on a recording medium, on the basis of an index file including management information about the files, the apparatus including: a management status information holding unit for holding management status information indicative of a management status of the files in the index file; a recording status detecting unit for detecting a recording status of the files recorded on the recording medium; and an inconsistency detecting unit for detecting an inconsistency between the management status of the files in the index file and the recording status of the files recorded on the recording medium on the basis of the management status information and the recording status detected by the recording status detecting unit.

Abstract: A plastic ferrule for an optical connector comprises a cylindrical portion having one insertion hole for fixing an optical fiber and directly related to connection, a holding portion for allowing the cylindrical portion to be stably held in an optical connector, and an guiding portion for allowing an optical fiber to be guided into the ferrule. The ferrule has a hollow, cylindrical hole centering around the insertion hole inside the cylindrical portion. Thus, the ferrule has excellent dimensional accuracy of the outer diameter, and achieves connection of single mode fibers excellent in connection reliability and economy.

Abstract: A gas mixture-separating device which comprises a first separation cell provided with a first membrane; a second separation cell provided with a second membrane; a feed pipe for conducting a gas mixture being separated to the high pressure chambers of the first and second separation cells; a first discharge pipe for drawing off from the first separation cell either of the gas portions which have permeated the first membrane and that which has not permeated said first membrane; a first feedback pipe for returning the other gas portion to said feed pipe; a second discharge pipe for drawing off from the second separation cell either of the gas portions which have permeated the second membrane and that which has not permeated said second membrane; and a second feedback pipe for returning the other gas portion to said feed pipe.

Abstract: A gas separator which comprises a first separation cell provided with a membrane; a second separation cell similarly fitted with a membrane; a feed pipe for conducting a gas mixture being separated to a high pressure chamber of the first separation cell; a leadout pipe for drawing off from the first separation cell either the gas which has permeated the membrane of the first separation cell or that which has not passed through the membrane thereof; a connection pipe for carrying the other gas from the first separation cell to the high pressure chamber of the second separation cell; a feedback pipe for returning to the feed pipe either the gas which has permeated the membrane of the second separation cell or that which has not flowed through the membrane; and a discharge pipe for removing the other gas from the second separation cell.

Abstract: Separation of a mixed gas is carried out at ordinary temperatures by employing a silicone oil, or a certain high polymeric substance in liquid form or in solution as the solvent for absorbing the gas. Among others, methylphenyl silicone oil is preferably employed as the solvent in separating radioactive gases.

Abstract: A metal vapor-trapping system wherein a gaseous mixture containing vapors of liquid metal is conducted from a tank to a first device, where the gas is cooled to trap most of the metal vapors contained therein by condensing said vapors into a liquid form; the gaseous mixture is further delivered to a second device, where the gas is cooled to a lower temperature than the solidifying point of said liquid metal to trap residual metal vapors in the solidified form; a gas free from said metal vapors is discharged from the second device; and a liquid metal obtained by being condensed from its vaporized form in the first device is automatically brought back to the tank by valve control.