Abstract: A unidirectional function circuit generates a first encryption key according to the device identification information stored in a device identification information holding unit. Another unidirectional function circuit generates a second encryption key that depends on a write block address. A contents key generator generates a contents key using the first encryption key, second encryption key, and relation information. An encryptor records contents, which are encrypted using the contents key, onto a HDD.

Abstract: A game system has a display monitor for displaying a game image, a plurality of control buttons manually operable by a game player, and a memory for storing data representing timings to operate the control buttons, respectively. The game system has a control operation indicating function for displaying in the game image an image for indicating the timings to operate the control buttons based on the data stored in the memory, and an obstructing function for generating an obstructive effect in the image for indicating the timings to operate the control buttons, to obstruct an attempt of the game player to grasp the timings to operate the control buttons.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a memory for storing a signal whose amount corresponds to a minimum recording unit. First data is reproduced from a minimum-recording-unit corresponding portion of a recording medium. The minimum-recording-unit corresponding portion contains a designated editing point. The reproduced first data is stored into the memory. A boundary between frames represented by the first data in the memory is detected. The detected boundary corresponds to the editing point. An address of a storage segment in the memory is stored which corresponds to the detected boundary. A first portion of the first data in the memory which corresponds to the stored address and later addresses is replaced by second data while a second portion of the first data in the memory which corresponds to addresses preceding the stored address is left to generate third data composed of the second data and the second portion of the first data in the memory.

Abstract: An encryption key is generated in response to a plurality of information pieces being bases for the encryption key. Original information is encrypted into encryption-resultant information in response to the generated encryption key. The encryption-resultant information is divided into units. Each of the units is loaded with encryption control information for identifying the plurality of information pieces being the bases for the encryption key.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an address generation circuit for generating an address signal. A memory operates for storing an information signal containing a video signal in response to the address signal. The address signal is periodically updated. A compression processing circuit operates for reading out the information signal from the memory, and subjecting the readout information signal to a compressively encoding process. A head of every frame represented by the information signal is detected. A state of the address signal is stored which corresponds to the detected frame head. Detection is made as to whether or not the information signal becomes discontinuous. The updating of the address signal and also the operation of the compression processing circuit are suspended when it is detected that the information signal becomes discontinuous. Detection is made as to whether or not the information signal returns to a normally continuous state after the information signal becomes discontinuous.

Abstract: First and second magnetic heads provided on a rotary drum alternately scan a magnetic tape. The first and second magnetic heads are different from each other in azimuth angle. A digital information signal is fed to the first magnetic head and is recorded on the magnetic tape via the first magnetic head while the first magnetic head is scanning the magnetic tape in a long time recording mode of operation where the magnetic tape is driven at a speed equal to a predetermined standard speed multiplied by 1/N. Here, N denotes a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 2. The digital information signal is fed to the second magnetic head and is recorded on the magnetic tape via the second magnetic head while the second magnetic head is scanning the magnetic tape in the long time recording mode of operation.

Abstract: First and second magnetic heads are alternately used to record an analog video signal on a magnetic recording medium while first tracks are sequentially formed thereon. Third and fourth magnetic heads are alternately used to record a digital video signal on the magnetic recording medium while second tracks are sequentially formed and written over at least portions of the first tracks on the magnetic recording medium. The third and fourth magnetic heads are attached to the rotary drum, and are diametrically opposed to each other. The third and fourth magnetic heads have different azimuth angles respectively. The azimuth angles of the third and fourth magnetic heads are different from the azimuth angles of the first and second magnetic heads. The digital video signal is in a frequency band wider than a frequency band of the analog video signal. The digital video signal is free from periodicity of its record waveform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an encryption method for encrypting information including a series of multiple unit blocks, one at a time, a decryption method for decrypting multiple encrypted unit blocks, one at a time, and a recording and reproducing apparatus that uses those methods. The seed of an encryption key for encrypting each unit block and the seed of an encryption key for decrypting each encrypted unit block, which are used by those methods and the recording and reproducing apparatus, are based on a unit block that is one or more unit blocks before the current unit block in a reproduction order or on information generated by encrypting one or more unit blocks before the current unit block. Alternatively, the seed of an encryption key for encrypting each unit block and the seed of an encryption key for decrypting each encrypted unit block are information based on an encryption key for encrypting a unit block before the current unit block in a reproduction order.

Abstract: A recording apparatus generates key information based at least on contents reproduction permission information, encrypts contents based on the key information, and records the encrypted contents and recording date/time information on a recording medium. A reproducing apparatus reads the encrypted contents and the recording date/time information from the recording medium, acquires reproduction date/time information on the encrypted contents and, based on the recording date/time information that was read, the reproduction date/time information, and reproduction permission limit information on the encrypted contents, generates contents reproduction permission information indicating that the encrypted contents maybe reproduced. The reproducing apparatus generates key information based at least on the contents reproduction permission information and decrypts the encrypted contents that were read.

Abstract: Detection is made as to whether or not a first video signal becomes discontinuous and hence a defective frame picture occurs in a stream of frame pictures represented by the first video signal. The defective frame picture is removed from the stream of frame pictures to change the first video signal into a second video signal representing the stream of frame pictures except the defective frame picture. A first audio signal is divided into a second audio signal and a third audio signal. The second audio signal occurs until the first video signal becomes discontinuous. The third audio signal occurs after the first video signal becomes discontinuous. A memory stores the second audio signal. The second audio signal stored by the memory and the third audio signal are mixed into a fourth audio signal to fade in the third audio signal and to fade out the second audio signal in the fourth audio signal.

Abstract: Executes a re-encoding after decoding data of a connection section A of a first MPEG picture data. This re-encoding is executed based on a control such that a transition of a VBV buffer occupation value starts from a VBV buffer occupation value at a position a and ends with a VBV buffer occupation value at a position d. Up to the position a of the first MPEG picture data, the first MPEG picture data is reproduced. Next, re-encoded MPEG picture data of the connection section A is reproduced. Thereafter, the data is connected to the position d of a second MPEG picture data, and the second MPEG picture data of the position d and after is reproduced.

Abstract: A switching operation device (8) is provided for switching a display screen of a screen display device (6). Further, a controller (7) of a slot machine (1) is provided with a screen display switching control section (10). In accordance with operation of the switching operation device (8), the screen display switching control section (10) switches the display screen of the screen display device (6), thereby causing the screen display device (6) to switchably display a plurality of preset information items, including game machine play status information such as token payout information. Information matching the player's needs can be displayed on the screen display device (6). Accordingly, the number of players utilizing the screen display device (6) is increased, thereby enabling an attempt to effectively utilize the screen display device (6).

Abstract: A game system has a display monitor for displaying a game image, a plurality of control buttons manually operable by a game player, and a memory for storing data representing timings to operate the control buttons, respectively. The game system has a control operation indicating function for displaying in the game image an image for indicating the timings to operate the control buttons based on the data stored in the memory, and an obstructing function for generating an obstructive effect in the image for indicating the timings to operate the control buttons, to obstruct an attempt of the game player to grasp the timings to operate the control buttons.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus is disclosed comprising memory circuits for storing video and sound data, and an error check code generation circuit for generating check codes for the data. The check code data is stored in a data block including the data and the check code data generated in accordance with the data. The apparatus includes an interleaving portion for reading the data and check code data for every stored data block and interleaving a predetermined number of the data blocks to provide an editing unit. The apparatus further includes a recording portion for recording the interleaved data blocks on a magnetic tape through helical scanning of every editing unit. The data may include video data and corresponding sound data. The video data is recorded on the magnetic tape on consecutive (t−p) tracks and the sound data is recorded on the magnetic tape on consecutive p tracks.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention starts reproduction of contents while contents validity is verified based on signature information. If it is found that the contents are invalid as a result of contents validity verification based on the signature information, the method stops the reproduction of contents and inhibits subsequent reproduction. The method may verify the validity only when a flag indicates that the signature information for contents validity to be reproduced is present. Also, the method may compare an invalid signature information entry recorded in signature information memory with the signature information read from the recording medium. If the signature information memory contains an entry that matches the signature information, the method does not request a signature verification unit to verify the contents of the signature but determines the contents as invalid.

Abstract: Digital signals are recorded in sequential tracks on a tape-form recording medium. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with a first recording format, at least first digital signals for normal reproduction are recorded in a single area of the first format on each track. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with at least a second recording format, at least the first digital signals are recorded in a specific area among divided areas of the second format, the divided areas being rewritable independently on each track, the specific area being common for both the first and second formats. And, second digital signals for special reproduction are recorded in previously determined areas among recording areas on each track, the recording areas being common for both the first and second formats.

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals is proposed in which trick play segments comprising sync blocks of information of a trick play signal are recorded in groups of p successive tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 times the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the said reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed −n1 times the recording speed. The first trick play signal is recorded using a first head having a first azimuth angle and the second trick play signal is recorded using a second write head having a second azimuth angle different from the first azimuth angle.

Abstract: A digital signal recording apparatus includes an amble generator for generating an amble signal representing a bit-sequence amble pattern. The bit-sequence amble patter can be detected and reproduced by a partial-response detection system “PR(1, 0, −1)” as a detected amble pattern having a period of state inversions which is shorter than a period of state inversions in a detected amble pattern corresponding to a recorded amble pattern of alternation of “1” and “0”. The amble signal generated by the amble generator and a first digital information signal are combined into a second digital information signal on a time sharing basis. The second digital information signal is recorded on a magnetic recording medium. For example, the bit-sequence amble pattern represented by the amble signal has repetition of six bits of “111000”.

Abstract: A signal representative of a key is generated in response to key production information. Encryption-resultant contents information is decrypted in response to the generated signal representative of the key. Key-related information is received which has been generated by an external in response to an authentication value and at least a portion of the key production information according to a predetermined function. Issue ID information is received which has been generated in response to the authentication value and decryption-side ID information peculiar to a decryption side. The authentication value is reproduced from the decryption-side ID information and the received issue ID information. At least a portion of the key production information is generated from the reproduced authentication value and the received key-related information according to a function inverse with respect to the predetermined function.

Abstract: A signal representative of a key is generated from authenticator-value information and key base information. The authenticator-value information represents a specified authenticator value. The key base information contains identification information which is set to reproduce the specified authenticator value according to a predetermined degeneration function. Contents information is encrypted into encryption-resultant contents information in response to the key signal. The key base information and the encryption-resultant contents information are transmitted or recorded.