Abstract: Grouping and navigating media files within a playlist on a computer-readable medium. Invention software selects media files according to a grouping criterion to define a group from the media files. The invention software generates a group header associated with the group. The group header includes a value identifying the defined group and a reference to another group to enable navigation. The invention software stores the selected media files, the playlist, the defined groups, and the associated group headers on a computer-readable medium. The invention software also includes playback software for navigating and selecting media files via groups within a playlist. In one embodiment, the invention is operable as part of a compressed media format having a set of small files containing metadata, menus, and playlists in a compiled binary formal designed for playback on feature-rich personal computer media players as well as low cost media players.

Abstract: It has been difficult to replay data in a manner which better suits a user's intention. A recording/replaying system comprises a recording medium 15 on which a plurality of data pieces are recorded, write file managing means 11 which records on the recording medium 15 one or multiple lists which are for selecting predetermined data pieces from among the plurality of recorded data pieces and specifying thus selected determined data pieces, file recording means 14, control means 21 which replays the predetermined data pieces specified by the lists based on thus recorded one or multiple lists, the file replaying means 23, and the data file outputting means 24.

Abstract: In a network control system, a device has screen display data indicative of its operating screen, and a controller issues a screen request (101) to obtain the screen display data, etc., as screen information (111) from the device. By using the screen display data, etc., the controller displays the operating screen. When an operation is carried out to the operating screen, its operation information and identification information of the screen display data are sent to the device as operation request (241). The device executes a function corresponding to the operation request. As a result, when the screen display data in the device is changed, the device sends the changed screen display data, etc., to the controller as screen information (121).

Abstract: For devices connected to a network using IEEE 1394 or the like, it has not been possible in the prior art to automatically perform grouping of these device based on their physical location relationships. The present invention discloses a network management system which, by utilizing a plurality of infrared signals, performs grouping of devices, i.e., a VTR, a TV-a, a DVD, a TV-b, and a component system, connected to a network, wherein a TV-a infrared receiver, a VTR infrared receiver, a TV-b infrared receiver, a DVD infrared receiver, and a component system infrared receiver are provided as infrared signal receiving apparatuses in the TV-a, the VTR, the DVD, the TV-b, and the component system, respectively, and of these devices, devices whose receiving apparatuses have received the same kind of infrared signal are grouped into the same group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an AV network construction apparatus A, comprising: a 1394 link 10 for connecting lines employing an interface of IEEE1394 standard, an information receiving/transmitting means 11, a protocol processing means 12, a virtual device function processing means 20, an integration management means 30 for activating or terminating the virtual device function processing means 20, an OS 40 for activating a pc 103, and a PC device driver 50 for activating a peripheral device M, and a method for constructing such a virtual AV network construction, and a recording medium containing a program concerning the virtual AV network construction method.

Abstract: When a plurality of display parts, or icons, such as “play” or “stop” are displayed on a screen, information about the positional relationship in which these icons will be laid out on the screen is first assigned as an attribute of each icon. Also, using a certain icon as a reference, information about the layout of the icons, such as whether they are above, below, to the left, or to the right of this icon, is assigned as an attribute of the icon serving as the reference. In this way it is possible to vary the layout of a display according to the size of the display screen.

Abstract: A network control system capable of flexibly constructing an operational environment suitable for each function and equipment in a simple configuration with a light load on a transmission line and each equipment and readily adaptable to a new function not conceivable at present. To attain the above object, the network control system controls at least one piece of equipment from another piece of equipment through a transmission line in a system in which a plurality of equipment is interconnected over the transmission line. The network control system comprises a controller having a user interface and a device having a function list indicating functions thereof as constituents in any equipment connected to the transmission line. The device transmits the function list through the transmission line. The controller notifies information about the device to user using the received function list, and controls the device utilizing the function list in accordance with a user's operation.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface for a networked target device within a home audio/visual network. The DDI allows any DDI target to describe its physical appearance including controls and displays, etc., to a DDI controller. The controller can be a remote physical device or can be a software program resident on the same or separate device as the target. The controller interfaces with the target to obtain the DDI data and generates a user interface for the target including: 1) interactive controls; and 2) user display information pertinent to the target. The DDI allows the controller to trigger actions on the target as if a user had physically manipulated the controls of the target. The controller and the target are connected to the same communication network. A particular embodiment operates within the HAVi architecture. The controller communicates with the user by using the input and output devices of (typically) the device upon which the controller is executing.

Abstract: At least three heads are mounted on a rotary drum. Between the first and third heads which are located in close proximity to each other and have different azimuth angles, a minute height difference is formed in the rotation shaft direction of the rotary drum. Signals of a plurality of data rates are recorded and reproduced by using the first and second heads or the first and third heads. Two heads having the same azimuth angle are disposed on the rotary drum so as to be opposed each other at a central angle of 180°. In search speed reproduction, search data are reproduced by the two heads. Tracks are divided in the unit of plural tracks so as to form track sets. Search data areas of each track set are disposed at a position of each track which is separated from the edge of a tape by a predetermined distance. In search speed reproduction, the phases of the tracks and the heads are controlled, and all effective data of the search data areas are reproduced by plural scans of the heads.

Abstract: At least three heads are mounted on a rotary drum. Between the first and third heads which are located in close proximity to each other and have different azimuth angles, a minute height difference is formed in the rotation shaft direction of the rotary drum. Signals of a plurality of data rates are recorded and reproduced by using the first and second heads or the first and third heads. Two heads having the same azimuth angle are disposed on the rotary drum so as to be opposed each other at a central angle of 180°. In search speed reproduction, search data are reproduced by the two heads. Tracks are divided in the unit of plural tracks so as to form track sets. Search data areas of each track set are disposed at a position of each track which is separated from the edge of a tape by a predetermined distance. In search speed reproduction, the phases of the tracks and the heads are controlled, and all effective data of the search data areas are reproduced by plural scans of the heads.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes: a signal reading section for reading a signal recorded on a recording medium, the signal including a digital signal and an analog signal; a control signal reading section for reading a control signal recorded on the recording medium and including information representing a time mode indicating a run speed of the recording medium; a first determination section for determining the time mode based on an output of the control signal reading section; and a second determination section for determining whether the signal read by the signal reading section is a digital signal or an analog signal after the time mode is determined by the first determination section.

Abstract: At least three heads are mounted on a rotary drum. Between the first and third heads which are located in close proximity to each other and have different azimuth angles, an intentionally provided minute height difference is formed in the rotation shaft direction of the rotary drum. Signals of a plurality of data rates are recorded and reproduced by using the first and second heads or the first and third heads. Two heads having the same azimuth angle are disposed on the rotary drum so as to be opposed each other at a central angle of 180.degree.. In search speed reproduction, search data are reproduced by the two heads. Tracks are divided in the unit of plural tracks so as to form track sets. Search data areas of each track set are disposed at a position of each track which is separated from the edge of a tape by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing apparatus of the invention records data in a plurality of tracks on a tape like recording medium by using a head unit mounted on a rotational cylinder and reproduces recorded data from the tracks, the tracks having at least two azimuth angles different from one another, and the tracks of the different azimuth angles being alternately located on the recording medium, the apparatus including: a formatter for providing, to each of the tracks, a normal data region to be used in normal reproduction and at least one search data region to be used in reproduction at a standard variable reproduction speed; for grouping the plurality of tracks into track sets each having a predetermined number of tracks, each search data region being located in the same position on a corresponding track included in the track set, and for placing identical search data in the search data region of each track included in the track set.

Abstract: A magnetic head driving apparatus makes it possible to effect a correct positioning operation at the assembly of the magnetic head, and also, to effect the correct measurement of the gap positions of the magnetic head. Also, the magnetic head is immune to the influence of the leakage flux of the magnetic circuit. Coil bobbins are mounted in a first gimbal spring and a second gimbal spring and the head has a projection in its lower end portion. The projection portion is extended through the hole of the first yoke. The head base is secured with a fixing member in the projection portion. A head base extending portion extending in a radial direction is formed in one portion of the external periphery of the head base with a magnetic head being mounted on its tip end. A sensor object showing the gap position of the magnetic head is formed in one portion of the head base extending portion.

Abstract: A rotary head for use in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a fixed cylinder, a rotary cylinder opposed to the fixed cylinder, two electrically controllable movable elements mounted on the rotary cylinder so as to be 180.degree. apart from each other, at least two magnetic heads secured to the movable elements, respectively, at least one reference surface provided on the rotary cylinder, and a vertical position detector element for detecting the vertical position of the movable elements and that of the reference surface. The rotary head further includes a control system for controlling the movable elements in response to an output from the vertical position detector element so that the magnetic heads may be located at a predetermined vertical position with respect to the vertical position of the reference surface.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus for helical scan video tape recorders comprises four movable video heads situated on a scanning drum such that phase compensation information can be determined using the scanner rotational information, the tape speed, and tape position. The phase compensation information is used to adjust the video heads thereby reproducing high quality video signals with smooth movement pictures from varying speed helical scan video tape recorders.