Abstract: Content that is simultaneously viewed by users of remotely located communication apparatuses is recorded along with images and sound corresponding to the users, for a synthesized reproduction. Synthesis information including parameters relating to setting a synthesis situation of an image and sound of the content and an image and sound of the users, along with information representative of a standard time, is produced and stored. The content being played back is recorded with the standard time added thereto. Similarly, real-time recording of the users includes the standard time. The synthesis information is produced again and stored when a parameter relating to setting the synthesis situation is changed.

Abstract: A method includes processing media content. The media content includes audio data corresponding to a first audio playback rate and video data corresponding to a first video playback rate. Processing the media content includes identifying a speech portion of the audio data. The speech portion includes a consonant portion. The method further includes producing modified media content. The modified media content is produced based on modifying the video data and modifying the audio data. Modifying the audio data includes applying a non-linear transformation to the speech portion identified in the audio data. The method further includes storing the modified media content.

Abstract: A playback apparatus includes an output unit configured to output main video data used as a main image, sub-video data used as a subsidiary image, cursor data to display a cursor, graphics data to display operation guidance, and sub-picture data to display subtitles, a first blend processing unit configured to superimpose the sub-video data, the sub-picture data, the cursor data and the graphics data, and a second blend processing unit configured to superimpose the superimposed data obtained by the first blend processing unit and the main video data.

Abstract: When AV playback and an operation of BD-J application are executed in conjunction with each other, the playback apparatus saves values stored by the currently executed BD-J application into a nonvolatile memory upon termination of the BD-J application or the like. Next time the playback starts, the playback apparatus restores the values to an area accessible by the BD-J application, and subsequently, activates the BD-J application.

Abstract: An apparatus and method can test multiple signal channels of a digital video recorder (DVR). Image data are obtained from a storage device and converted the image data to a video signal. The DVR sends the video signal to an image distributor, and generates a selection command to a controller for controlling the image distributor to select a signal channel to be tested. After the video signal is received from the DVR, the image distributor sends the video signal to the selected signal channel. An ID number of the selected signal channel is displayed on a display device when the DVR does not receive the video signal from the selected video channel.

Abstract: There is provided an information recording medium that reduces operation of shifting information backward or putting information forward closer together upon recording/deleting/dividing information to facilitate processes of recording/deleting/dividing information. An information recording medium records Programs 1 composed of image data, etc., UPGR 3 that refers to at least a part of the Programs 1, PGRG 5 that refers to the UPGR 3, a PGRM that collectively records the UPGR 3 and reference information thereof, and a PGRGM that collectively records the PGRG 5 and reference information thereof. When recording the UPGR 3, the information recording medium refers to the reference information contained in the PGRM, and when invalid reference information or reference information giving no reference to any UPGR 3 is present, records the UPGR 3 using the reference information.

Abstract: An apparatus which easily discriminates 3D (stereoscopic vision) contents from non-3D contents among recorded program contents can be provided. Further, a unit to prohibit unintentional generation of a virtual play list where 3D contents and non-3D contents are mixed can be provided. For these purposes, a 3D flag is recorded in a play list file. Further, upon virtual play list generation, the recorded 3D flag set values are obtained and it is checked whether or not 3D contents and non-3D contents are mixed.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: a recording/reproducing unit performing recording/reproduction with respect to a recording medium; a communication unit performing communication with a terminal apparatus, which transmits time information as mark time information with a timing designated by an operation; and a control unit.

Abstract: Content bookmarking may be provided. First, a content program may be displayed and a user initiated input may be received. Next, in response to the user initiated input, a currently displayed point in the content program may be jumped from to a time stamped point in the content program. The content program may then be displayed from the time stamped point.

Abstract: Selecting options on a media disc containing data is provided. An option identifier associated with an external surface of the media disc is detected by a sensor unit coupled to a media player. The external surface is an outer surface of the media disc. A presentation option corresponding to the option identifier is identified. Media content associated with the media disc is presented in a format corresponding to the presentation option.

Abstract: There are presented systems and methods for enabling an association of media information relating to a playback of a media content file with a medium containing the media content file. In one embodiment, such a method for use by a playback device comprises obtaining a unique identifier present on the medium, transmitting the unique identifier, obtaining the media information relating to a usage of the media content file, and transmitting the media information. In another embodiment, such a method for use by a server comprises receiving a unique identifier present on the medium, storing the unique identifier in a memory, receiving the media information of the media content file according to the playing of the media content file, storing the media information in the memory, and associating the media information with the unique identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to manage previously recorded programs. In at least one embodiment identifies a plurality of previously recorded programs, categorizes each one of the plurality of previously recorded programs into one of a plurality of recorded program categories, and generates a recorded program category-based graphical user interface (GUI). The recorded program category-based GUI graphically depicts the plurality of recorded program categories and graphically depicts an amount of memory capacity utilized by each of the plurality of recorded program categories based upon an amount of memory capacity utilized by the previously recorded programs.

Abstract: A data recording/playing configuration capable of easily acquiring attribute information on a frame constituting a 3D image recorded on a recording medium. The attribute information of the 3D image is recorded in each of hierarchized management information files as an attribute in units of management data of each of the management information files. When a coding method is a frame sequential method, frame identification data indicating whether each frame is a left-eye image (L image) or a right-eye image (R image) are recorded; and when the coding method is an inter-view reference coding method where any one of L and R images is referred to during decoding, base image identification data indicating which one of the L and R images is a base image are recorded. Thereby, a playing apparatus can determine an attribute of a frame without performing analysis of data to be played.

Abstract: A display control apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a television broadcast signal containing at least remote broadcast image information, a display unit that displays image information, a recording and reproducing unit that records and reproduces the image information, a player information acquiring unit that acquires, from the remote broadcast image information, player information regarding players in a sports game included in a broadcast image signal, and a recording and reproducing control function unit that receives an audio signal contained in the broadcast signal, generates an excitation graph representing the level of excitation of the sports game along a time line, and records the excitation graph, the image of the game, time information, and the player information in the recording and reproducing unit. Upon receiving information indicating a break in the sports game, the recording and reproducing control function unit displays the excitation graph together with the recorded image.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video processing apparatus includes a decoding module, a detection module, a frame rate calculation module, and a display timing determining module. The decoding module decodes encoded moving image data including processing units each of which includes pictures for a predetermined reproduction time. The detection module detects picture group information of a reproduction target processing unit, the information indicative of the number of pictures and the ratio of progressive frame pictures to interlaced field pictures. The frame rate calculation module calculates a frame rate corresponding to a reproduced processing unit preceding the target unit based on picture group information detected when the preceding unit is decoded, if the target unit includes no timing information indicating display timing of pictures. The display timing determining module determines display timings for the pictures in the target unit based on the frame rate.

Abstract: By allowing the movement of a user to affect the playback of content, the entertainment characteristic or uplifting spirits derived from content playback itself can be enhanced. The timing at which the user places his/her foot on the ground while walking or the timing at which the user shakes or changes from swinging in one direction to swinging to another direction is detected. Then, content, such as a music piece or moving pictures, is played back by allowing the timing of beats or bars of the music piece or the timing of scene changes or cut changes of the moving pictures to be synchronized with the timing of the movement of the user.

Abstract: An information signal is received, which includes a main information content signal carrying the contents of the information, a CM portion signal carrying commercial messages (CM) and an information mode discriminating signal used for discriminating information modes of the main information content signal and the CM signal from each other according to the contents. A video signal is encoded per plurality of several video frames, the video signal including the main information content signal and the CM portion signal. The encoded video signal is recorded in a storage medium. The video signal is reproduced, during the recording, from the storage medium while the CM portion signal is skipped. The received main information content signal and CM portion signal are recorded in the storage medium. The information mode discriminating signal is recorded in the storage medium or another temporary storage medium.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes reading a play list including at least one subplayitem, the subplayitem including navigation information for a clip file including the graphic information. The graphic information is preloaded before starting reproduction of the playlist, and the graphic information is reproduced on the basis of the subplayitem.

Abstract: The image recording system is a system configured of first and second image recording apparatuses. The first image recording apparatus includes a device ID obtainment unit, a time information obtainment unit, a first channel information input unit, an identification information creation unit, a first image input unit, a first identification information addition unit, a first image recording unit, and an identification information sending unit. The second image recording apparatus includes an identification information receiving unit, a second channel information input unit, an identification information change unit, a second image input unit, a second identification information addition unit, and a second image recording unit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit that records information data on a mounted recording medium; a detecting unit that detects first identification information for identifying a mounted first recording medium; and a generating unit that generates second identification information related to the first identification information detected by the detecting unit when a second recording medium is mounted instead of the first recording medium. The recording unit records the second identification information generated by the generating unit on the second recording medium.

Abstract: A high definition television video content management and/or copy protection method and apparatus are achieved by modifying portions of one or more channels of an HDTV (high definition television) signal. These modifications are generally in the blanking intervals but can extend into the overscanned portions. In one version, the signal modification defines tags or trigger bits for a content control system. This modification may follow the HDTV tri-level sync (synchronization) pulses for example, and it may occur in at least one of the HDTV video channels. In another version, portions of the tri-level sync pulse are modified to cause a reference sensing circuit such an AGC system (in a receiving device such as a video recorder) to produce an erroneous output. Optionally, a signal may be added or inserted following the modified tri-level sync pulses. In another version, tri-level pseudo sync pulses are added in blanking or overscanned intervals.

Abstract: Video and audio of a capture area is recorded. The capture area includes a sound-producing element that is to appear within a video. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to the sound-producing element. The RFID tag is scanned to automatically track the sound producing element relative to a position in the capture area. Configurable audio associated with the sound-producing element is embedded within the video.

Abstract: A plurality of items of content whose meaning content is the same and quality is different is acquired from a plurality of acquisition routes and managed as a single group. Each item of content in this group is analyzed, an evaluation value of each item of content is calculated from the results of analysis and content to be deleted is determined based upon the evaluation values.

Abstract: A recording device includes a recording medium operable to store a plurality of program streams and information about recording of each program stream, and a controller operable to control display of the program stream recorded on the recording medium on a display device. When receiving an instruction for selecting a predetermined item from among the plurality of selection items, the controller causes the menu image to be displayed, making the menu image include information representing programs corresponding to at least a part of the plurality of the program streams recorded on the recording medium, in addition to the plurality of selection items.

Abstract: An exemplary method of operating a recording device comprises acquiring a title of a recorded program when a recording operation begins. The exemplary method further comprises determining, at a first specific time period after a next-occurring hour of the clock or after a next-occurring half hour of the clock during the recording operation, whichever occurs first, whether the recording operation started within a second specific time period, the second specific time period being between the first specific time period and thirty minutes, storing as the title of the recorded program the title acquired when the recording operation began if the recording operation was not started within the second specific time period, and reacquiring the title of the recorded program if the recording operation was started within the second specific time period.

Abstract: A system for creating customized audiovisual content is provided. The system includes a location cue system for providing a plurality of synchronized location cues to direct a plurality of movement sequences for an actor. A speech cue system for providing a plurality of synchronized speech cues to direct a plurality of spoken sequences for the actor. A sequence controller for receiving location cue data and speech cue data and controlling the location cue system and the speech cue system.

Abstract: Provided are a method of storing status information in a first content reproducing device, and a method of allowing content to be automatically reproduced in a second content reproducing device based on the status information stored in the first content reproducing device. The method of storing status information includes: monitoring an operation of the first content reproducing device; generating status information about the monitored operation; and storing the status information in the first content reproducing device. The method of allowing content to be automatically reproduced includes: checking if the first and second content reproducing devices are connected to each other; reading a log file recording the status information from the first content reproducing device if the first and second content reproducing devices are connected to each other; interpreting the status information; and selectively performing an operation according to a result of the interpreting.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a control block including a read control processor for reading designated content, a time information processor for processing time information. A controller returns, to a user terminal, a response signal, and information indicating a second absolute time point when an operation is executed in response to a request signal generated by the user terminal at a first absolute time point. The controller stores time difference information indicating a time difference between the first and the second absolute time points. When responding to a further request signal sent from the requester via the network, the controller sets, as tag time information, time information obtained by correcting, using the time difference information, a current relative time period for which the designated content is read.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus and a playback method which allow setting of picture-in-picture display, a program, a program storage medium, a data structure, and a recording-medium manufacturing method. Pip_metadata states information required for the picture-in-picture display. Pip_horizotal_position indicates, on the frame of a primary video, an X coordinate at the upper left corner of a sub display screen on which a secondary video is displayed. Pip_vertical_position indicates, on the frame of the primary video, a Y coordinate at the upper left corner of the sub display screen on which the secondary video is displayed. Pip_scale states information indicating the size of the sub display screen on which the secondary video is displayed.

Abstract: Methods for integrating an authored DVD system and a WWW web browser are described. Universal Resource Locator (URL) information corresponding to sites accessible by the browser is stored in fields within the DVD data. When a user actuates a DVD element that has a corresponding URL, the web browser displays information from that site. When the user actuates an HTML menu or other browser-implemented feature, the DVD system accesses a portion of the DVD data specified in the menu. This arrangement provides for two-way communication, i.e., HTML in the browser is able to control DVD content and vice-versa. Having the WWW information embedded in the DVD brings a number of benefits, the foremost of which is the ability to write a “one size fits all” template web page that can interrogate the DVD for URL information and present WWW content corresponding to the URL synchronized with the DVD information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus to record data in a recording medium. The apparatus includes: an input portion to input moving picture data; an encode portion to encode the moving picture data input by the input portion; a storage portion which uses a first storage area to store frame image data, i.e., data for any frame image contained in the moving picture data encoded by the encode portion and uses a second storage area to store the moving picture data except the frame image data; a recording portion to record the moving picture data stored by the storage portion in the recording medium; a decode portion to decode the moving pictured at a encoded by the encode portion; and a thumbnail image generation portion to generate a thumbnail image based on the frame image data.

Abstract: An image converter includes an image converting unit and a determining unit. The image converting unit acquires frame image groups each including one or more frame images from original image data, and outputs the frame image(s) of each acquired group, converting its/their image quality based on determination by the determining unit, generating foreign-device-use image data including the frame image groups including the frame image(s). The determining unit determines necessity of first-image-quality retention of the frame image(s) of each group based on whether it/they satisfies/satisfy a condition. The image converting unit outputs the frame image(s) of the group at the first image quality if it/they is/are determined by the determining unit as necessary to retain at the first image quality, or a second image quality if determined as unnecessary to retain at the first image quality.

Abstract: A process corresponding to a reproduction time of data and an argument information is executed. When mark_time_stamp representing one reproduction time on a time axis of a play list, mark_type representing a type of Mark( ), and mark_type are of a type of an event that is generated, if a reproduction time of data reproduced corresponding to a play list containing PlayListMark( ) having Mark( ) including mark_data as an argument of the event matches mark_time_stamp, Mark( ) having mark_time_stamp is recognized at step S302. When mark_type of Mark( ) recognized represents a type in which the event is generated at step S307, mark_data of Mark( ) and occurrence of the event are notified at step S307. A process corresponding to mark_data is executed at step S308. The present invention can be applied to for example a game machine and so forth that use a DVD.

Abstract: An interactive or electronic programming guide is provided, wherein a receiving device such as a DVD or Blu-Ray player, PVR, recorder, set top box, etc., receives data or video signals as well as a trigger, flag or bit pattern signal. A processing and or encoding circuit provides programming, enabling, or disabling of a content control signal in response to the trigger, flag, or bit pattern signal and the content control signal is combined with the video signal to provide a content controlled video signal which provides resistance to a circumvention device (e.g., a “black box”).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a time code processing apparatus including a time code reading section configured to read each of the first time code values; a phase detection section configured to detect a phase in a sequence of the pulldown process; and a time code generation section configured to use the first time code value as the second time code value when both the phase detected by the phase detection section and the first time code value obtained by the time code reading section have changed, and generate the second time code value while performing an interpolation based on the first time code value when at least one of the phase detected by the phase detection section and the first time code value obtained by the time code reading section has not changed.

Abstract: Computer-based methods for time-based media composition of programs that include secondary material. The methods involve searching for secondary media available from secondary material providers over a wide-area network, selecting secondary material, receiving metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material, inserting a representation of the selected secondary media into a media composition, playing back a sequence of the media composition that includes the secondary media, wherein playback of the secondary media involves playing an evaluation version of the secondary media streamed to a media composition system over the wide area network, and displaying metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material. The media composition system facilitates purchasing and transfer, and re-linking of the secondary media for inclusion within the media composition.

Abstract: Adaptive video zoom is provided by a method of providing a video content item for viewing by one or more viewers. The method includes identifying one or more objects within the video content item. The method further includes, for each identified object, assigning a searchable descriptor for the object, creating a time stamp indicating one or more time periods within the video content item during which the object occurs, and creating a bounding window defining a region of the video content item within which the object occurs. The searchable descriptor, time stamp, and bounding window are then packaged into metadata associated with the video content item. The method further includes delivering the video content item and the metadata associated with the video content item to a client computing device.

Abstract: An audio and/or video generation apparatus configured to generate audio and/or video signals representative of an audio and/or video source, the audio and/or video generation apparatus comprising a recording unit configured to record the audio and/or video signals on a recording medium, wherein the audio and/or video generation apparatus is arranged to receive metadata associated with the audio and/or video signals generated by a data processor, the recording unit configured to record the metadata on the recording medium with the audio and/or video signals. The data processor may be arranged to receive signals representative of the time codes of the recorded audio/video signals, and the metadata may include time code data representative of the in and out points of a take of the audio/video signals generated by the data processor. The metadata may also include unique identification code for identifying the audio/video signals. The unique identification code may be a UMID or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for synchronizing a reproduction time of a time-shifted content with a reproduction time of a real-time content. The apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator which tunes broadcasting signals and demodulates the tuned digital broadcasting signals so as to output the broadcasting signals in forms of transport streams, a demultiplexer which demultiplexes the output transport streams so as to divide the transport streams into video data, audio data, and supplementary information and output the video data, audio data, and supplementary information, a data refining unit which removes unnecessary frames from the video data and the audio data, and an HDD which stores the video data and the audio data, from which the unnecessary frames are removed.

Abstract: Recorded on the recording medium (BD-ROM) is an AV stream that is obtained by multiplexing a video stream and one or more audio streams. MOVIE objects are scenarios showing playback procedures of video data described using playback device-oriented commands. In addition to the MOVIE objects, enhanced-mode scenarios (Java and WebPage objects) are also recorded on the recording medium. These enhanced-mode scenarios, each of which is described in the Java language or a markup language, show control procedures with respect to playback devices. The Java and WebPage objects are capable of taking over register setting values set by MOVIE objects, and extracting parts of video data played by MOVIE objects.

Abstract: An information storage medium storing subtitle text-based information, and a method and apparatus utilizing same, process a subtitle. The information storage medium includes: dialog information which contains script text information of the subtitle and information specifying an output type of the script text; and presentation information which contains style information used to convert the script text into a bitmap format through rendering. With this structure, the amount of data required for a subtitle and the amount of data that should be processed when a subtitle is output may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A depth map generating unit generates depth information indicating the depth of a subject in each pixel of frames of a moving image. An additional information generating unit generates additional information regarding a change between continuous frames. A reading and writing unit writes a depth map and the additional information on the recording medium and reads the depth map and the additional information from the recording medium. A depth map correcting unit corrects the depth map read by the reading and writing unit based on the additional information read by the reading and writing unit. The reading and writing unit performs overwriting with the depth map corrected by the depth map correcting unit on the recording medium. The present technology is applicable to an image processing apparatus that generates depth information indicating a sense of depth of a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: It is desired to link photo data and video data taken by a digital camcorder. Therefore, there is provided a device and method for linking multimedia data, wherein linking information is formed on the basis of first and/or second multimedia data. The linking information is stored on a recording medium together with the first multimedia data. The second multimedia data may be stored together with respective linking information to the first multimedia data on a second recording medium. Thus, a camera-man while recording is able to set up logo or index pictures for a video film.

Abstract: A video image reproducing apparatus reads out sub-content information related to sub-content to be reproduced, from a recording medium, obtains attribute information indicative of the features of the sub-content, on the basis of the sub-content information, and controls each reproduction procedure of the main content and the sub-content on the basis of the attribute information, so that the main content and the sub-content are reproduced in coordination with the features of the sub-content.

Abstract: Video streams and an entry map are recorded on a BD-ROM in association with each other. The video stream constituting a slide show includes a plurality of IDR pictures. The entry map (EP_map) associated with the IDR pictures indicates an entry time (PTS_EP_start) of each IDR picture included in the video stream in association with an entry point (SPN_EP_start). Application_type indicates that entry information of each of pieces of picture data constituting the video stream exists in the EP_map and each piece of picture data is to be decoded independently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for distributing multimedia content to at least one client device over a network. Said system comprises: a slicer (SLI) for slicing the multimedia content into a set of slices; a coder (ALC) for coding a slice according to an asynchronous layer coding technique such that N coded symbols including K source symbols and N?K error symbols are generated; a content server (SER) for storing and transmitting said coded slices upon request of the client device; a client device (CLD) comprising means for receiving said coded slices and a decoder (DEC) for decoding a coded slice as soon as K coded symbols of said slice have been received.

Abstract: A method and system for media content playback and storage utilizes a set-top box including a processor and a storage device. The set-top box is in a system receiving media content which includes a display for displaying the received media content. On receipt, the received media content is associated with stored media content having a common title. A logical order for the received media content relative to the stored media content is determined, in accordance with a determined identifier. If it is determined that the received media content has been accessed for playback the received media content is automatically deleted after it has been played back.

Abstract: A device to detect location data, store a first location of the device within metadata of visual media if the location data is available, and store a second location within the metadata of the visual media if the location data is unavailable.

Abstract: A media capture system, method, and computer program product are provided for assessing processing capabilities. In use, media data is captured from a system. Additionally, the media data is stored in memory separate from the system. Further, the media data is fed back to the system for assessing media processing capabilities of the system in real-time or non-real-time.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording/reproducing external device data in a broadcast receiver and method thereof are disclosed, by which a broadcast receiver allowed by a certification key is enabled to access a corresponding external device only. The present invention includes a connection checking step of checking a state of a physical connection between an external device and the broadcast receiver, a certification key registration deciding step of deciding whether a reserved certification key is registered, an access allowance deciding step of if the certification key is registered, deciding whether to allow an access to the connected external device by verifying the certification key, and an access allowing step of if the access is allowed, recording/reproducing corresponding data by accessing the connected external device.