Abstract: A data transmission apparatus 10 for transmitting a data signal in accordance with a predetermined protocol in one direction within a ring network of a plurality of data transmission apparatuses includes: signal determination means 11 for determining a presence or absence of a data signal from an immediately upstream data transmission apparatus 10 in the ring network based on an amplitude of the data signal; and stopping means for stopping transmission of the data signal to an immediately downstream data transmission apparatus 10 if the signal determination means 11 determines that there is no incoming data signal. The data signal is a signal obtained by modulating an amplitude component of an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency. Thus, a data transmission apparatus is provided which can quickly detect a momentary power interruption in a data transmission system composed of data transmission apparatuses interconnected in a ring fashion.

Abstract: In a physical layer of each data transmission apparatus 1, a physical layer initialization process is performed in response to a reset exit process performed by the irrespective CPUs 4. Then, in a link layer of a master data transmission apparatus 1 and in a link layer of a data transmission apparatus 1 which operates in a normal mode, after the completion of the physical layer initialization process, a link layer initialization process is performed in response to a reset exit process performed by their respective CPUs 4, and then the data transmission apparatuses 1 start data communication using their respective physical layers and link layers. On the other hand, a link layer of a data transmission apparatus 1 which operates in a bypass mode maintains its reset state, and the data transmission apparatus 1 transmits data using only its own physical layer by bypassing its own link layer.

Abstract: An S/P converter 120 converts input data from serial to parallel for every two bits in different timings, thereby outputting two types of parallel data. Based on the input data, a timing detector 130 detects a timing which corresponds to boundaries between bits of a data portion before biphase encoding. Based on the detection result of the timing detector, a selector 140 selects either one of the two types of parallel data output from the S/P converter 120.

Abstract: A data reception method, an apparatus implementing such a method, and a data transmission system are disclosed, in which appropriate evaluation levels for signal levels are set during initialization of data communications using small circuitry. A comparator 574 compares a difference value dd against its corresponding model value. If the difference value dd is greater than the model value, the comparator 574 updates one of registers 576a to 576n which is currently selected, by adding a predetermined numeric value to the model value. If the difference value dd is smaller than the model value, the comparator 574 updates one of the registers 576a to 576n which is currently selected, by subtracting a predetermined numeric value from the model value. An evaluation level value arithmetic circuit 572 calculates evaluation levels R1 to R13 using model values set in the registers 576a to 576n, and stores the evaluation levels R1 to R13 respectively to registers 577a to 577m of an evaluation level storage section 573.

Abstract: A program preselecting apparatus is provided. An electronic program guide storing unit stores an electronic program guide made up of a plurality of sets of program information of a plurality of programs, each of the plurality of sets of program information including a time slot, channel number, and content information of a respective program. A preselection criteria storing unit stores a plurality of preselection criteria used for specifying programs to be preselected, each of the plurality of preselection criteria including at least one criterion item which specifies at least the content information. A searching unit searches, according to each of the plurality of preselection criteria, the electronic program guide for a program corresponding to each set of program information that satisfies the criterion items of the preselection criterion. An overlap judging unit judges whether there are programs whose time slots overlap among programs found as a result of the search by the searching unit.

Abstract: A receiver includes a noise reduction circuit for eliminating noise from a differential signal transmitted through a differential transmission line and a data recovery circuit for recovering data from a differential signal outputted from the noise reduction circuit. The noise reduction circuit includes common-mode chokes for reflecting common-mode noise superimposed on an input differential signal and a common-mode noise reduction circuit for directing the common-mode noise reflected by the common-mode chokes to a low potential point of the common-mode noise reduction circuit.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a ring-shaped network which can speedily perform initialization even when a plurality of data transmission apparatuses, each performing multi-valued transmission while assigning one or more bits of data as one data symbol to a signal level, are connected thereto, and a data transmission apparatus.

Abstract: An on-vehicle image display apparatus comprises: plural cameras; display image creating means for compositing and cutting out a group of images taken by the respective cameras; and image display means; wherein the display image creating means cuts out images which compensate for blind spots of the respective cameras in imaging positions one another, from the plural images of the plural cameras, and composite the cut-out images.

Abstract: A digital data transmission apparatus includes a transmitting end (100) that includes: a binary/quadrary conversion unit (110) for converting a data stream; a coding unit (120) for mapping the converted data to be coded; a digital filter (130); a D/A conversion unit (140); a low-pass filter (150) for eliminating a high-band signal; a differential driver (160) for inputting an analog signal that has passed through the low-pass filter into a twisted pair cable (300), and a receiving end (200) that includes: a low-pass filter (210) for eliminating noises from both wires of the twisted pair cable; a receiver (220) for receiving the signals that have passed through the low-pass filter; an A/D conversion unit (230); a digital filter (240); an evaluation unit (250) for evaluating a signal level of a received signal; a decoding unit (260) for decoding the signal level into receipt data; and a synchronization unit (270) for generating a clock.

Abstract: A digital data transmission apparatus includes a transmitting end (100) that includes: a binary/quadrary conversion unit (110) for converting a data stream; a coding unit (120) for mapping converted data to be coded; a digital filter (130); a D/A conversion unit (140); a low-pass filter (150) for attenuating noises which are caused by folding distortion; a differential driver (160); low-pass filters (170a) and (170b) for eliminating noises from differentially outputted signals; and a common mode choke coil (180) for eliminating common mode noises and outputting a resultant signal to a twisted pair cable (300), and a receiving end (200) that includes: a low-pass filter (210) for eliminating noises from the twisted pair cable; a receiver (220); an A/D conversion unit (230); a digital filter (240); an evaluation unit (250) for evaluating a signal level of a received signal; a decoding unit (260) for decoding the signal level into received data; and a synchronization unit (270) for generating a clock.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an evaluation level setting method for accurately evaluating signal levels, and a data reception apparatus, in multi-valued transmission for transmitting data while assigning one or more bits of data as one data symbol to a signal level.

Abstract: A communications system and a communications device are provided that can reduce the difference in data reaching time with a simple structure and can play audio without making listeners feeling strange. A communications device 105 is coupled to a network 101 and a device 106 such as a CD player or the like. The communications device 105 includes a network interface unit 100, a network controller 103 communicating with the device 106 and others, and a CPU controlling these components. Furthermore, the network interface unit 100, a transmission signal processing unit 107 and a reception signal processing unit 108 converts the data format appropriate for the network controller 103 and the network 101, respectively. A transmission scheme determination unit 102 determines the transmission scheme used among nodes. First and second switches 109 and 110 each have a contact A and a contact B, connecting either one of these contacts based on a control signal from the transmission scheme determination unit 102.

Abstract: A data control method includes the steps of: A) at least one of the following steps: A-1) embedding prohibition information in data, wherein copying of the data is to be prohibited; and A-2) embedding the prohibition information and N pieces of permission information in the data (N is a natural number), wherein the copying of the data is to be permitted N times; and B) detecting the prohibition and/or permission information prior to the copying of the data. In the case where the permission information is detected from the data prior to the copying of the data, at least one of the N pieces of permission information in the data is invalidated, and then the copying of the data is permitted. In the case where the permission information is not detected from the data, and the prohibition information is detected from the data prior to the copying of the data, the copying of the data is prohibited.

Abstract: A disc playback system comprising a disc drive for reading a coded signal recorded on a disc type recording medium, and transmitting the coded signal through a synchronous channel of a digital bus, and plural display units each receiving the coded signal from the digital bus, and decoding and displaying the coded signal, wherein each of the plural display units outputs disc control information including a read command for controlling the disc drive so as to read the coded signal from the disc type recording medium, and one of the plural display units receives the disc control information from the other display units, and the display unit receives, at least as for the read command, the read commands from all of the other display units which are operating and, thereafter, outputs one read command to the disc drive. Therefore, all of the display units performing display operations can display the same picture at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for coding moving pictures, which reduces a delay time generated by buffering of a decoding apparatus in compressive coding of the moving pictures. In this invention, the target number of bits of one picture P as a target value of the number of generated bits per one picture is set as well as the upper limit number of bits uCg as an upper limit value of the number of generated bits of the picture is set. Then, when the cumulative number of generated bits Cg generated from the first macroblock to a macroblock which is being coded in the picture exceeds the upper limit number of bits uCg in the middle of the picture which is being coded, the coding of a macroblock is skipped to avoid underflow.

Abstract: The moving image encoding device for encoding a plurality of moving image signals of this invention includes: a plurality of encoding sections for encoding the plurality of moving image signals, the encoding sections being provided with a plurality of quantization sub-sections for quantizing the plurality of moving image signals with predetermined quantization widths; and a quantization control section for controlling the quantization widths used by the quantization sections simultaneously.

Abstract: A communications system and a communications device are provided that can reduce the difference in data reaching time with a simple structure and can play audio without making listeners feeling strange. A communications device 105 is coupled to a network 101 and a device 106 such as a CD player or the like. The communications device 105 includes a network interface unit 100, a network controller 103 communicating with the device 106 and others, and a CPU controlling these components. Furthermore, the network interface unit 100, a transmission signal processing unit 107 and a reception signal processing unit 108 converts the data format appropriate for the network controller 103 and the network 101, respectively. A transmission scheme determination unit 102 determines the transmission scheme used among nodes. First and second switches 109 and 110 each have a contact A and a contact B, connecting either one of these contacts based on a control signal from the transmission scheme determination unit 102.

Abstract: An user interface apparatus that receives a user operation of an electrical device and notifies the electrical device of the instruction to execute an action according to the user operation predicts at least one action, the execution of which is supposed to be desired by the user, provides a user interface for having the user designate one action out of the at least one action, and receives a designation by the user. When receiving the user designation, the user interface apparatus notifies the electrical device of the instruction to execute the action that has been designated by the user.

Abstract: A data control method includes the steps of: A) at least one of the following steps: A-1) embedding prohibition information in data, wherein copying of the data is to be prohibited; and A-2) embedding the prohibition information and N pieces of permission information in the data (N is a natural number), wherein the copying of the data is to be permitted N times; and B) detecting the prohibition and/or permission information prior to the copying of the data. In the case where the permission information is detected from the data prior to the copying of the data, at least one of the N pieces of permission information in the data is invalidated, and then the copying of the data is permitted. In the case where the permission information is not detected from the data, and the prohibition information is detected from the data prior to the copying of the data, the copying of the data is prohibited.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording movie content onto a DVD is provided. The movie content is encrypted using a different encryption method depending on whether the DVD is intended for consumer use or industrial use. If the DVD is for consumer use, a VIDEO_TS directory is created on the DVD, and the encrypted movie content is recorded in the VIDEO_TS directory. If the DVD is for industrial use, a VIDEO_TS directory and an EWCPS_TS directory are created on the DVD, and the encrypted movie content and message data are recorded respectively in the EWCPS_TS directory and the VIDEO_TS directory. The message data indicates that the movie content cannot be played back by consumer DVD players.