Abstract: A recording medium having recorded thereon, a plurality of picture information sets, presentation time values each of which is associated with the corresponding one of the picture information sets, picture information record marks each of which is associated with the corresponding one of said presentation time values, clip information specifying what position on the recording medium is associated with each of said presentation time values, and reproducing order specifying information specifying in what order the picture information sets are to be reproduced.

Abstract: In a storing apparatus having a built-in recording medium, which stores program files, if there is no method of securing a free capacity of the recording medium, except for deletion of files, a user may have a feeling of resistance against the deletion of stored program files. Further, in securing the free capacity through recompression, there is a limitation to achieving a securable capacity. These problems can be solved by increasing the capacity of the disk to some extent, but this method is insufficient. Thus, a storing apparatus is provided in which, when the capacity of the recording medium is small, selected program stream stored in a hard disk is outputted via a network control unit to an external storage medium, and, after that program stream is outputted, the corresponding program stream is deleted from the hard disk.

Abstract: So far, consumer AV equipment were not designed to ensure good usability for all users because operations of such equipment become complicated as a result of sophistication and diversification of their functions, or such equipment are provided with functions that can be used only by part of users. In this connection, a recording and playback apparatus is configured such that an expanded function control module which controls GUI functions or network connections is provided to enable a user to choose use conditions of the expanded functions and easily switch over operations of the expanded functions according to such use conditions. Thus, usability is improved.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes a command inputting unit for inputting a command that the recording/reproducing apparatus should execute, and a command-aborting instruction inputting unit for inputting a command-aborting instruction. While a disc drive is repeating a retry operation of the command, an abort signal is sent to the recording/reproducing apparatus from a host side as required. In response to reception of the abort signal, the recording/reproducing apparatus aborts the retry operation of the command. As a result, the number of the retry operations to be repeated is controlled.

Abstract: Heretofore, there have been problems in which data prerecorded on a recording medium cannot readily be played back in synchronism with data downloaded via a network because the simultaneous use of a plurality of download data has not been taken into consideration. To solve such problems, data is played back by using a first buffer memory for temporarily storing a stream that is received at one input terminal, a demultiplexer for demultiplexing packets output from the first buffer memory in accordance with packet ID numbers, second buffer memories for temporarily storing a stream that is input from another input terminal, and a packet switcher for operating selector switches to select and output either packets output from the demultiplexer or packets output from the second buffer memories.

Abstract: The problem to be solved is to make it possible to download via a network, efficiently manage, retrieve, and reproduce an external content associated with a content recorded on a recording medium. To solve the problem, a program is used which controls reproduction of information located on a recording medium and related information. The program includes the steps of: obtaining from the outside specific information associated with predetermined information recorded on a recording medium; and obtaining medium identification information located on a recording medium; wherein if the specific information has been obtained, a storage unit in a reproducing apparatus is controlled to associate the specific information with the medium identification information for storage.

Abstract: In an apparatus not connected to a network can perform the reproduction within a valid viewing period. Also, in order to facilitate the change of the encryption algorithms of a password, a program recorded on the disk comprises the steps of acquiring a first medium identification number recorded on a recording medium, acquiring the current time, acquiring a password, calculating a second medium identification number and the expiry date of the valid viewing period from the password, comparing the first medium identification number with the second medium identification number, and comparing the current time with the expiry date of the valid viewing period. In the case where the first medium identification number coincides with the second medium identification number and the current time has not passed the expiry date of the valid viewing period, then the predetermined information is reproduced from the recording medium.

Abstract: A file system is capable of managing more files without losing compatibility with conventional file systems, specifically, a file system where one disc can freely be used for an AV apparatus and for a PC. According to this invention, combined use of PCFS (file system for PC) and the main AVFS (file system for AV) is employed or simultaneous use of AVFS and PCFS is employed. According to the invention, it is possible to provide a new file system capable of managing more files and to provide an environment in which one disc can be used in a plurality of environments while compatibility with the conventional one file system is maintained by employing combined two file systems or by employing two file systems together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital signal recording apparatus and a recording medium for recording digital compressed picture information on magnetic tape, and specifically the structure of the recording apparatus that suitably records picture trick-play data separately from recording data for a normal replay and the recording medium on which data is suitably recorded. The digital signal recording apparatus includes picture data extraction circuit (103) for extracting picture data from the input digital compressed picture signal, trick-play-data generation means (105) for generating trick-play data while reducing the extracted picture data, and data disposition circuit (106) for disposing the trick-play data on tracks in position falling in line with the trace of the rotary magnetic head scanning in trick-play mode. The trick-play-data generation means (105) operates through program processing of a microprocessor (105).

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus provided with identifying information acquisition means to read recording medium identify information recorded on a recording medium and a storage unit to store the recording medium identify information acquired by the identifying information acquisition means so-that the recording media which have been played are registered as library information. When a recording medium is to be played, this library information is used to determine whether to allow bonus images to be reproduced.

Abstract: There is provided a sub file area which records sub file management information and a sub file. The sub file and the sub file management information are registered as one file to main file management information. At finalization, file management information compliant with a different file system is also written. For the purpose of file management, there is provided sub file management information in addition to the main file management information. The main file management information treats a sub file and the sub file management information managing it as one file. Moreover, at finalization, file management information compliant with a different file system is also written.

Abstract: A recording medium which records a file for storing writing data as well as file management information for managing the file, wherein main file management information stores, in a file format, sub file management information and sub-file related information. In addition, a recording apparatus in which data is written into the recording medium and a recording medium in which data is reproduced from the recording medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique is provided for reproducing information from a recording medium, on which there are recorded a plurality of picture information sets; presentation time values, each associated with a corresponding one of the picture information sets; picture information record marks, each of which is associated with a corresponding one of the presentation time values; clip information specifying what position on the recording medium is associated with each of the presentation time values; and reproducing order specifying information which specifies in what order the picture information sets are to be reproduced.

Abstract: If a program list prescribing an order to reproduce video and audio data is recorded in a binary-data format, a low affinity with a text-format language such as the XML results.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a recording technique for efficiently using a record area of a recording medium. To achieve the object, in a method for recording data and management information which manages the data onto the recording medium, data 2 is recorded from a position (105) inward from data 1 already recorded on a data recording area having an undetermined data amount, and the management information 2 is recorded from a position (103b) outward from management information 1 already recorded on a management information recording area having an undetermined data amount.

Abstract: A main file management area and a sub file management area are provided on a file system. The sub file management area, having sub file management information and plural sub files managed by the sub file management information, is handled as one file on the main file management information. That is, the file where the sub files are defined is managed similarly to main files by the main file management information. As the sub file management information is provided in addition to the main file management information, more files can be managed in comparison with a case where only the main file management information is used. Further, as the sub file management area is handled as one file on the main file, it can be managed without influence on the structure of the main file system.

Abstract: A digital signal recording apparatus for recording in blocks on a recording medium an input digital signal in the form of a plurality of input packets. Each of the input packets has a predetermined number of bytes. A first time stamp has been added to each of the input packets in advance for indicating a time of transmission of the input packet. A time stamp generator generates a second time stamp having a different format than the first time stamp added to each of the input packets in advance. A time stamp adding circuit removes the first time stamp added to each of the input packets in advance and adds the second time stamp to each of the input packets. A recording signal processor generates a recording signal in blocks from the input digital signal with the second time stamp added to each of the input packets.

Abstract: A digital signal processing apparatus including a time stamp generator generating a reference time having a same format as a first time stamp added to each packet of an inputted digital signal, a comparator comparing the first time stamp added to each packet of the inputted digital signal with the reference time, a time stamp converter converting the first time stamp added to each packet of the inputted digital signal into a second time stamp having a different format than the first time stamp, and an output circuit outputting an outputted digital signal in the form of a plurality of packets having the second time stamp converted by the time stamp converter added to each packet when the first time stamp of each packet of the inputted digital signal coincides with the reference time.

Abstract: A communication system has an analog signal broadcasting station for transmitting an analog signal, a digital signal broadcasting station for transmitting a digital signal and a receiving unit for receiving the analog signal from the analog signal broadcasting station and the digital signal from the digital signal broadcasting station. The receiving unit has a recording and reproducing unit for selectively recording one of received analog and digital signals. The recording and reproducing unit has heads for analog signal each having a predetermined azimuth angle and operative to record an analog signal and heads for digital signal each having an azimuth angle larger than that of the analog signal head and operative to record a digital signal, and performs selective recording and reproduction of the analog signal and the digital signal on and from a recording medium.

Abstract: A digital signal recording apparatus for recording a digital signal on a recording medium and a digital signal reproduction apparatus for reproducing the digital signal from the recording medium, wherein the digital signal contains a plurality of packets each having a plurality of bytes and a time stamp added thereto indicating the time of transmission of each packet. The recording apparatus comprises a circuit for generating a reference signal synchronous with an input digital signal, a circuit for generating a time stamp based on the reference signal, a circuit for adding the time stamp generated by the time stamp generating circuit to the input digital signal in place of the time stamp originally added to the input digital signal, a recording signal processing circuit for generating a recording signal in block form from the digital signal, and a circuit for recording the recording signal on the recording medium.