Abstract: To perform non-normal speed reproduction without preventing a user from understanding of the program content. The audio data which has been blocked into blocks of a predetermined time unit is stored in a buffer. Blocks having the level equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value are treated as silence data, and the block numbers are stored in a silence pointer buffer. A read out address generating unit does not read out blocks which is stored in the silence pointer buffer when the read out address buffer reads out audio data blocks from the buffer. The audio data from which silence data blocks have been excluded is subjected to connection processing in a waveform connection processing unit so that noise is not generated. A skip pattern generating unit controls a video data processing unit so that the video data is sent out with skipping some video data corresponding to blocks treated as silence block stored in the silence pointer buffer.

Abstract: A video signal recording/reproduction apparatus utilizes time division writing and reading to implement simultaneous recording and reproduction of different video signals to and from a common recording medium. In one operating mode, a first video signal being recorded and a second video signal being reproduced are simultaneously displayed in separate windows on a display. In other operating modes, two or more video signals are simultaneously recorded or reproduced to/from a common recording medium, and simultaneously displayed in separate windows.

Abstract: By reducing the number of seek operations in an operation to play back a signal from a recording medium, the amount of data temporarily stored in a read buffer memory employed in a signal recording/playback apparatus is large enough to be output as a playback signal during a seek operation, allowing a continuous playback operation to be carried out. In order to reduce the number of seek operations, a signal is always recorded onto the recording medium in continuous free areas each having a size equal to or larger than a predetermined recording/playback time length which is typically set at 1 minute. If it is necessary to insert an additional signal having a length smaller than the predetermined recording/playback time length into a point of insertion in an area already occupied by an existing signal, a continuous free area with a size equal to or larger than the predetermined recording/playback time length is newly allocated to the additional signal.

Abstract: A signal reproducing apparatus is disclosed with which time is not required from a moment at which a user has started a reproducing operation to a moment at which the user is able to actually confirm required information. An audio-and-video-signal reproducing apparatus incorporates a head for recording an audio and video signal recorded on a recording medium; a RAM on which the audio and video signal read by the head is temporarily stored; and a control circuit having a control function for controlling the head to read the audio and video signal recorded on the recording medium and controlling writing of the audio and video signal temporarily stored in the RAM.

Abstract: A signal recorder/reproducer comprising an integrated buffer memory 22 having a memory area for a recording system and a memory area for a reproduction system, the allocation of the memory areas being variable, and a system controller 5 to control, via a recording control signal input unit 2 or reproduction control signal input unit 4, the allocation of the memory areas in the integrated buffer memory 22 depending upon which is designated by the user, a recording or reproduction mode.

Abstract: Images of reproduced video data of plural channels are displayed on main small screens arrayed in a central horizontal row on an index picture. Time-serially anterior images of reproduced video data are displayed on two upper small screens above the main small screens, while time-serially posterior images of reproduced video data are displayed on two lower small screens below the main small screens. In a forward reproduction mode, the images displayed on the respective small screens are altered, with a lapse of time, to the lower adjacent images while being cross faded. And in a reverse reproduction mode, the images are altered, with a lapse of time, to the upper adjacent images while being cross faded. A normal reproducing operation is started from a desired image when the main small screen, where the desired image is being displayed, is selected by means of a cursor. Thus, any image of video data can be indexed efficiently.

Abstract: A recording apparatus configured to receive analog video and audio signals, digitize and compress the same, and record the compressed audio and video signals on a digital recording medium such as an optical disk. As the audio and video signals are received and recorded, time segments of the audio signals are analyzed for certain features such as whether the time segment corresponds to instrumental music, vocal music or conversational speech. A table of contents is then generated corresponding to the feature analysis and digitally stored on the storage medium. As a result, the recorded audio is characterized over time, e.g., on a frame by frame basis. A high degree of versatility is thereby provided in the playback process, such as the ability to skip portions having certain audio types or to quickly scroll to desired portions of the recorded audio programs. Reproducing apparatuses enable the user to selectively reproduce segments of the recorded audio and video.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording and reproducing a TV broadcasting signal includes a CM detecting unit, a write data processing circuit, a recording system control circuit, and a recording medium. The CM detecting unit operates to detect if a TV broadcasting signal composed of a RF signal inputted through an antenna is now a CM. The write data processing circuit operates to generate CM information accompanied with the CM detected by the CM detecting unit. The recording system control circuit operates to record on the recording medium the CM information generated by the write data processing circuit together with a video signal and an audio signal.

Abstract: A detecting circuit detects a moving vector for each block. Corresponding to the moving vectors, a plurality of moving portions in one field are extracted. Thus, a moving vector of each moving portion is generated. In a field memory, a motion compensating process is performed corresponding to the moving vectors. A field difference between the input signal and a signal that has been movement-compensated is supplied to an Hadamard transform circuit. The Hadamard transform circuit divides the field difference signal into a plurality of frequency components. A non-linear circuit has noise components corresponding to individual frequency bands. An output signal of the non-linear circuit is supplied to an inverse-Hadamard transform circuit. The inverse-Hadamard transform circuit performs an inverse-Hadamard transform process. The resultant signal is subtracted from the input picture signal.

Abstract: A signal recorder/reproducer comprising an integrated buffer memory 22 having a memory area for a recording system and a memory area for a reproduction system, the allocation of the memory areas being variable, and a system controller 5 to control, via a recording control signal input unit 2 or reproduction control signal input unit 4, the allocation of the memory areas in the integrated buffer memory 22 depending upon which is designated by the user, a recording or reproduction mode.

Abstract: Images of reproduced video data of plural channels are displayed on main small screens arrayed in a central horizontal row on an index picture. Time-serially anterior images of reproduced video data are displayed on two upper small screens above the main small screens, while time-serially posterior images of reproduced video data are displayed on two lower small screens below the main small screens. In a forward reproduction mode, the images displayed on the respective small screens are altered, with a lapse of time, to the lower adjacent images while being cross faded. And in a reverse reproduction mode, the images are altered, with a lapse of time, to the upper adjacent images while being cross faded. A normal reproducing operation is started from a desired image when the main small screen, where the desired image is being displayed, is selected by means of a cursor. Thus, any image of video data can be indexed efficiently.

Abstract: A commercial detector includes a soundless section detecting circuit which detects a soundless section of an audio signal SA and a scene change detecting circuit which detects a scene change point of an image from a video signal SV during the soundless section detected by the soundless section detecting circuit. A commercial section detecting circuit detects whether a time interval of the scene change points detected by the scene change detecting circuit agrees with a predetermined rule. A tuner detects a sound multiplexing mode SSA of an audio signal received.

Abstract: By reducing the number of seek operations in an operation to play back a signal from a recording medium, the amount of data temporarily stored in a read buffer memory employed in a signal recording/playback apparatus is large enough to be output as a playback signal during a seek operation, allowing a continuous playback operation to be carried out. In order to reduce the number of seek operations, a signal is always recorded onto the recording medium in continuous free areas each having a size equal to or larger than a predetermined recording/playback time length which is typically set at 1 minute. If it is necessary to insert an additional signal having a length smaller than the predetermined recording/playback time length into a point of insertion in an area already occupied by an existing signal, a continuous free area with a size equal to or larger than the predetermined recording/playback time length is newly allocated to the additional signal.

Abstract: By reducing the number of seek operations in an operation to play back a signal from a recording medium, the amount of data temporarily stored in a read buffer memory employed in a signal recording/playback apparatus is large enough to be output as a playback signal during a seek operation, allowing a continuous playback operation to be carried out. In order to reduce the number of seek operations, a signal is always recorded onto the recording medium in continuous free areas each having a size equal to or larger than a predetermined recording/playback time length which is typically set at 1 minute. If it is necessary to insert an additional signal having a length smaller than the predetermined recording/playback time length into a point of insertion in an area already occupied by an existing signal, a continuous free area with a size equal to or larger than the predetermined recording/playback time length is newly allocated to the additional signal.

Abstract: A detecting circuit detects a moving vector for each block. Corresponding to the moving vectors, a plurality of moving portions in one field are extracted. Thus, a moving vector of each moving portion is generated. In a field memory, a motion compensating process is performed corresponding to the moving vectors. A field difference between the input signal and a signal that has been movement-compensated is supplied to an Hadamard transform circuit. The Hadamard transform circuit divides the field difference signal into a plurality of frequency components. A non-linear circuit has noise components corresponding to individual frequency bands. An output signal of the non-linear circuit is supplied to an inverse-Hadamard transform circuit. The inverse-Hadamard transform circuit performs an inverse-Hadamard transform process. The resultant signal is subtracted from the input picture signal.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing method and apparatus are arranged to improve a retrieval characteristic and alleviate fatigue and discomfort of a user at a fast reproduction mode and further magnify the reproduction speed more. In the video signal reproducing apparatus, a fast reproducing circuit 15 synthesizes the picture data written in memories 21 and 22 for generating data of a middle picture in the case of outputting the picture data of one screen written in the memories 21 and 22. Then, the circuit 15 inserts the data of the middle picture between the picture data for generating the output picture at a fast reproduction speed. The data of the middle picture is generated by adding the picture data of both memories at a ratio set by a main control unit. This ratio is a coefficient K (0.ltoreq.K.ltoreq.1) and is given as a value of (1-K) to a first multiplier 25, while it is given as a value of K to a second multiplier 26.

Abstract: A detecting unit generates defference data between optical black level of digital input data and a predetermined black level and generates .gamma. characteristics selection signal. An offset signal obtained from the difference is added to the input data by an adding circuit. A .gamma. characteristics setting unit is supplied with the difference data and the output signal of the adding circuit and outputs a signal in which a white level, black level and .gamma. characteristics are corrected.

Abstract: In a horizontal AFC circuit, a window output is produced from a window generating circuit 4 in response to an AFC output having a relatively long time constant, derived from a first AFC circuit 2. The window output is synchronously differentiated by an edge detecting circuit 5. Another AFC output having a relatively short time constant, derived from a second AFC circuit 3, is present within a window range under the normal condition. A horizontal oscillation output derived from an OR circuit 10 into which outputs from a DFF 8 and an AND circuit 7 are inputted, corresponds to the AFC output from the second AFC circuit 3. Also, when the AFC output of the second AFC circuit 3 is not present within the window range, the output from the OR circuit 10 corresponds to the edge outputs from the edge detecting circuit 5.