Abstract: A robot provides a communicating means to move based on the transmission and reception of information to/from the outside, thereby making it possible to realize a robot with high usability. In addition, it recognizes the user's condition based on sensors provided around a user and outputs a response message according to the recognition. Thus, an information processing system which is very helpful can be realized.

Abstract: Apparatus for recording and reproducing information in record tracks on a rotatable record disc comprises a disc driving portion for rotating the rotatable record disc about an axis of rotation, a pair of optical heads each facing the rotatable record disc and respectively positioned on opposite sides of the axis of rotation, and a head driving portion for moving the optical heads simultaneously towards or away from each other in a radial direction on the rotatable record disc. Each optical head generates a first light beam used selectively for erasing and writing an information signal in the record track and a second light beam used for reading an information signal from the record track and causes the first and second light beams to impinge upon the record track on the rotatable record disc in such a manner that the first light beam precedes the second light beam in a direction along the record track.

Abstract: A digital signal transmission system whereby the plural-bits-in-one-word digital signals are transmitted serially. According to this system, when the amount of data per unit time increases and the clock frequency of data is extremely high, a word synchronizing signal is input for each word so as to effect clock synchronization of data based on the word synchronizing signal, thereby allowing easy reading of each data bit. Detection can be facilitated by differentiating the format of the word synchronizing signal from that of the data clock signal, for example by varying the pulse period or pulse width. Further, by assembling a plural number of words into a block so that the block units are indicated with at least one bit in the words being signalled as a block flag bit, it becomes possible to treat the data in excess of the word units, allowing increase of the substantial bit number without increasing the bit number in one word.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for recording cue data identifying characteristics of information recorded in tracks on a magnetic tape; for example, the cue data identifying beginning, end and various predetermined portions of program material, such as an audio program, a video program, or the like. The recorded information is played back, and a cue signal generator generates respective cue signals upon the occurrences of respective ones of the predetermined characteristics in the played back information. For example, one type of cue signal is generated when the beginning of the program is played back, another type of cue signal is generated when the end of the program is played back, and various respective cue signals are generated when different predetermined portions of the program are played back. In addition to generating the cue signals, code signals having a predetermined relationship with the played back information also are generated.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for editing digital signals, such as PCM-encoded audio signals, which are helically recorded on a magnetic tape in a Video Tape Recorder, first and second digital signals to be edited are reproduced in order to determine the respective edit points, and a predetermined interval of either one of the first and second digital signals is stored in a memory, with such predetermined interval including the respective edit point. During an editing operation, the digital signals from the memory are inserted between the first and second digital signals, and thereby the first and second digital signals can be recorded on an editing tape without discontinuities at the desired edit points.