Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording information obtained from a sensor, comprises: a face detecting unit for detecting a face of a person among the information obtained from the sensor; a face detection switching unit for switching a control of the face detecting unit between valid and invalid; a face detection setup information obtaining unit for obtaining information of whether face detection set up by the face detection switching unit is valid or invalid; a face detection observation unit for observing on whether detection is made on the face or not, when the face detection is valid; a power-saving controller unit for executing a power-saving control; a recording unit for record the information inputted from the sensor onto a recording medium; a recording observation unit for observing on whether recording of the information is conducted or not by the recording unit; a memory unit for memorizing information necessary for controlling the information recording apparatus; and a controller unit fo

Abstract: When a user selects an image, a control unit detects a face image from the selected image and acquires person data corresponding to the face image. Moreover, the control unit specifies address book data of the person and acquires an e-mail address from the address book data. When the user inputs an e-mail address, the control unit also has a function of detecting an image in which a person having the input e-mail address as a destination is an imaged object and creating an e-mail attached with the image.

Abstract: In a data library apparatus for managing plural pieces of record media, and performing record/reproduction of data into/from the record media, there are provided an information-memorizing memory unit and a device-controlling control unit. Having received a data record/reproduction processing request from a server, the control unit collects load information imposed on data record/reproduction devices, load information imposed on a record-media transportation device, and load information imposed on the record media. Moreover, the control unit memorizes the collected load information into the memory unit.

Abstract: In a data library apparatus for managing plural pieces of record media, and performing record/reproduction of data into/from the record media, there are provided an information-memorizing memory unit and a device-controlling control unit. Having received a data record/reproduction processing request from a server, the control unit collects load information imposed on data record/reproduction devices, load information imposed on a record-media transportation device, and load information imposed on the record media. Moreover, the control unit memorizes the collected load information into the memory unit.

Abstract: Related arts have failed to realize a data recording/reproducing apparatus having the ability to, while video-audio data is being recorded in a first recording medium, notify a user of the number of second recording media to which the recorded video-audio data is equivalent. For breaking through the situation, a data recording/reproducing apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a module which monitors an amount of video-audio data recorded in a first recording medium, and a module which displays an equivalent of the amount of recorded video-audio data in terms of the capacity of a second recording medium.

Abstract: When a user performs a playback operation, an imaging unit starts taking images, and video data based on the image data obtained from that imaging is stored in a buffer of a memory unit. A control unit writes the video data stored in the buffer in a newly opened image file. When the capacity of the image file reaches a limit capacity, the control unit closes that image file and opens a new image file. The control unit also writes video data to the opened image file. The control unit creates information (image file information) for the generated image file and enters that information in an image management table. When a plurality of image files is generated, the control unit stores information indicating the playback order of the image files in the image management table.

Abstract: When a user selects an image, a control unit detects a face image from the selected image and acquires person data corresponding to the face image. Moreover, the control unit specifies address book data of the person and acquires an e-mail address from the address book data. When the user inputs an e-mail address, the control unit also has a function of detecting an image in which a person having the input e-mail address as a destination is an imaged object and creating an e-mail attached with the image.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording information obtained from a sensor, comprises: a face detecting unit for detecting a face of a person among the information obtained from the sensor; a face detection switching unit for switching a control of the face detecting unit between valid and invalid; a face detection setup information obtaining unit for obtaining information of whether face detection set up by the face detection switching unit is valid or invalid; a face detection observation unit for observing on whether detection is made on the face or not, when the face detection is valid; a power-saving controller unit for executing a power-saving control; a recording unit for record the information inputted from the sensor onto a recording medium; a recording observation unit for observing on whether recording of the information is conducted or not by the recording unit; a memory unit for memorizing information necessary for controlling the information recording apparatus; and a controller unit fo

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 reproducing apparatus having a function to recover synchronization and a function to display information. The first function resumes synchronous reproduction automatically even though synchronous reproduction is interrupted. The second function lets the user know what is going on in the reproducing apparatus when synchronous reproduction is interrupted.

Abstract: To provide a recording and reproducing apparatus capable of storing AV data reliably during recording and capable of reading the AV data reliably during reproducing even when the communication state between the video camera and a network is bad, the recording and reproducing apparatus neither failing to record nor reproduce AV data, the recording and reproducing apparatus improving the recording reliability and reproduction reliability of AV data. With a unit for determining whether the communication state is good or bad, the recording and reproducing reliability is improved by carrying out recording and reproducing of AV data to a hard disk of the recording and reproducing apparatus by utilizing a built-in hard disk when the communication state is bad.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus, comprising: an image pickup element; an audio input portion; a recording portion, which is configured to record video information inputted from the image pickup element and audio information inputted from the audio input portion on a recording medium, in a form of stream data; a reproducing portion, which is configured to reproduce the stream data recorded on the recording medium; a contents memory portion, which is configured to memorize a plural number of contents, each being made of video and audio, on the recording medium; a composing portion, which is configured to compose the stream data memorized in the recording medium and the contents; and a selecting portion, which is configured to select the contents to be composed with the stream data recorded on the recording medium, from among the plural number of contents, wherein the stream data recorded on the recording medium and the contents selected by the selecting portion are composed to be recorded on the recording med

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus capable of solving a problem that, after a user edits video information recorded in a recording medium of a video camera, the user later cannot cancel the editing operation and cannot restore the edited video information to its initial information before edited. When the user edits video information recorded in a first recording medium; the video information deleted through the editing, video modification history information based on the editing, and data management information of the recording medium are recorded in a temporary storage area of a second recording medium. Thus, the user can cancel the editing of the video information and restore the information to its initial information before edited.

Abstract: There is little information to display on an LCD during the replicating process of image information from a first recording medium to a second recording medium. Therefore unnecessary power is consumed by keeping the luminance of the LCD high during the replicating process of the image information. In order to solve the problem, the function to restrain power consumption by changing the luminance of the backlight during the replicating process of the image information from the first recording medium to the second recording medium is provided. With the use of the above-mentioned function, the power consumption of the recording and reproducing apparatus during the replicating process of the image information from the first recording medium to the second recording medium can be restrained.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a portable power source; a recording unit for recording information in a loadable/unloadable recording medium or the built-in recording medium; a dubbing unit for copying and transferring data between the loadable/unloadable recording medium and the built-in recording medium; and a detecting unit for detecting the amount of the remaining energy in the portable power source, wherein the dubbing process between the loadable/unloadable recording medium and the built-in recording medium is allowed when the detecting unit indicates that there is a predetermined amount of energy remaining in the portable power source.

Abstract: Related arts have failed to realize a data recording/reproducing apparatus having the ability to, while video-audio data is being recorded in a first recording medium, notify a user of the number of second recording media to which the recorded video-audio data is equivalent. For breaking through the situation, a data recording/reproducing apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a module which monitors an amount of video-audio data recorded in a first recording medium, and a module which displays an equivalent of the amount of recorded video-audio data in terms of the capacity of a second recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to retrieve a desired scene from among numerous scenes by utilizing metadata that is recorded together with audiovisual data. Metadata describing each scene contained in audiovisual data recorded on a recording medium is analyzed and transformed into a metadata structure in which scenes are subordinated to each keyword. Moreover, transformed metadata is contained in a file, and then read in order to provide a scene retrieving feature that utilizes keywords.

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: 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.