Abstract: A method for scaling video content based on bandwidth rate is disclosed. Wherein, a plurality of target shots and non-target shots are recognized from shots of a video. A background and at least one foreground object are separated from the video frame of the target shot. The present invention method provides a plurality of bandwidth levels, and one among them is selected in advance. At least one foreground object is selected and pasted on the background based on the selected bandwidth level, so as to obtain at least one recombined target shot. The recombined target shot, the non-target shot or other recombined target shot can be merged to form a recombined video unit based on the selected bandwidth level. Therefore, the present invention proposes video content of scalability based on bandwidth rate to provide the different video bit-stream size, so that viewer can get the high quality video under the lower bandwidth rate.

Abstract: In a playback device for playing back a moving image recorded on a recording medium while executing an application recorded on the recording medium, to improve the use efficiency of a memory bus when combining the moving image with an image relating to the application. Whether or not to combine a background image, which is used as a background of GUI graphics such as a menu or a moving picture used by the application, is determined depending on whether the moving image covers the entire background image. If the moving image covers the background image, there is no need to combine the background image with the moving image. In this case, a memory bus allocated to the reading of the background image can be used for, for example, writing the moving image read from the recording medium onto a memory. Hence the memory bus bandwidth can be effectively used.

Abstract: A system records an AV stream composed of a plurality of record units (RUs) containing independently reproducible video units (VUs) of at least video or audio and program information (Movie atom) managing the AV stream, onto a recording medium. The program information contains a piece of information (Edit list atom) that manages a point of junction between the record units or between AV streams. In decoding the AV stream, decoding is halted or decoders are switched at the point of junction, based on the management information on the points of junction, for example.

Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus which reproduces image files stored in a recording medium, comprising: a retrieving unit adapted to separately retrieve for a first image group recorded in accordance with a first file rule and a second image group nonconforming to the first file rule; a determination unit adapted to determine a reproducing order for an image group which has been completely retrieved by the retrieving unit upon discriminating the first image group and the second image group; and a reproducing unit adapted to reproduce an image group for which the reproducing order is determined, wherein the retrieving unit starts retrieving for the second image group when finishing retrieving for the first image group, and the reproducing unit reproduces an image group, which has completely been retrieved by the retrieving unit, in a reproducing order determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: An audio/video synchronous playback device includes a first synchronization section for repeating or skipping a first video data sequence in units of a video frame interval thereof to synchronize the first video data sequence with an audio data sequence, and a second synchronization section for repeating or skipping a second video data sequence in units of a video frame or video field interval thereof to synchronize the second video data sequence with the audio data sequence. A first video data sequence output and a second video data sequence output having different frame frequencies are separately synchronized with one channel of audio data sequence output with their respective precisions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method converts a moving image signal into an image data format consisting of a luminance signal and a color-difference signal like that of the YUV format at a signal processing circuit 4, compression-encodes the image data at a compression circuit 10 and records it on a recording medium 11, in addition to reducing the same-format image data color-difference signal to generate image data for display, enabling the image processing apparatus for recording a moving image to achieve moving image recording of a quality that is good enough to be used as still images.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing Presentation Time in a digital rendering system for presentation of temporally-ordered data when the digital rendering system includes a Variable Rate Presentation capability. In one embodiment, Presentation Time is converted to Data Time, and Data Time is reported instead of Presentation Time when only one time can be reported. In another embodiment, a predetermined one of Presentation Time and Data Time is returned in response to a request for a Current Time.

Abstract: A method of presenting auxiliary data for an interactive recording medium is disclosed. In an interactive recording medium reproducing apparatus that reproduces A/V data and contents data recorded on an interactive recording medium and contents data provided by a contents providing server, the contents data provided by the contents providing server is presented appropriately according to the attributes of the contents data by using attribute information for the contents data.

Abstract: For providing a mechanism of contents reproducing equipment, for operating a communicating device and a decoding device, which are provided in each of equipments connected therewith through a network, in cooperation with each other, so as to enable to change from a reproducing process, which is relatively low in processing capacity required, to a reproducing process, which is relatively high, reproduction is conducted of the contents, which is low in the processing capacity required for reproduction, with using the communicating means and the decoding means, which are lower in the processing capacity. In parallel therewith, reproduction is conducted of contents, which is high in the processing capacity required for reproduction, with using the communicating means and the decoding means, which are higher in the processing capacity thereof.

Abstract: The present system provides a method for a group of people, related or otherwise, to record an event on separate recording devices. The video from those recording devices can then be synchronized with each other. After synchronization, a composite movie is automatically generated using extracts from all or some of the video recordings. The composite movie is returned to a mobile device from where it can be shared and broadcast or re-edited inside the device.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus is provided which is capable of reproducing audio data continuously and unbrokenly, without increasing the storage capacity of a storing means.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes: a storing unit in which data is accumulated; a readout control unit that controls readout of the data from the storing unit; a cache that temporarily stores the data read out by the readout control unit; and a data transmission and reception control unit that reads out the data stored in the cache and outputs the data to an external apparatus on the basis of a data acquisition request input from the external apparatus, wherein the readout control unit reads out the data from the storing unit and outputs the data to the cache while increasing stepwise a size of the data to be read out from the storing unit from a first size, which is a minimum size set in advance, to a second size, which is a maximum size set in advance.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for generating record data, guaranteeing seamless playback even in a case of occurrence of a jump. In a multilayer disc having a plurality of recording layers, it is configured that an allowable range of an intra-layer jump and an inter-layer jump carried out in a playback processing of an information recording medium is determined and a required time for the intra-layer jump and the inter-layer jump is calculated on the basis of the determined allowable jump range information so as to determine a data configuration requirement such as an allowable minimum consecutive data size of data to be stored in the information recording medium on the basis of the calculated required jump time. With the present structure, seamless playback is made possible even in a case of occurrence of not only an intra-layer jump but also an inter-layer jump.

Abstract: A method for playing digital images is disclosed. The method is applied to a disc player that is electrically connected to a computer, comprises the steps of: reading a disc; judging if the disc has DVD video data; judging that the disc player is in a play mode or in a non-play mode, when the disc has the DVD video data; reading the DVD video data, when the disc player is in the player mode; judging if the read DVD video data are correct; and continuing reading the DVD video data, when the DVD video data are incorrect, wherein when a time for the continuing reading exceeds a pre-set time or self-set terms, the incorrect DVD video data are outputted.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for selecting, in real time, a leading view of a multi-angle television program. A video recorder receives a program view selection. The video recorder then transmits a viewer data request for the currently selected program view to a service provider. The video recorder may then receive requested viewer data of the selected program view and one or more alternate views of the selected program. The video recorder may then determine if the selected program view is the leading view of the selected program. When the selected view is not the leading view and the video recorder is configured for automatic view switching, the video recorder may autonomously switch to the leading view of the selected program. Alternatively, the video recorder may present vote totals of all views of the selected program and enable a selection of a desired alternate view.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus configured to reproduce moving image data based on management information including time information and position information about a plurality of intra pictures in the moving image data and display the reproduced moving image data on a display includes a determination unit configured to acquire information about a time interval and a position interval between two intra pictures from the time information and the position information and determine a bit rate between the two intra pictures, and a display control unit configured to display information concerning the bit rate determined by the determination unit, on the display.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system including a decoder and a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) whose copy protection protocol has been modified to allow the received uncompressed digital audio-video content from the decoder to be re-encoded and recorded.

Abstract: A media data playback device is capable of simultaneously parsing and decoding two different sections of streaming media, one of which comprises a replay section. The device shows replay progress of the replay section on a progress bar and allows switching positions during replaying of the replay section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the recording medium includes a data area storing moving picture data, and a navigation area storing navigation information for managing reproduction of the moving picture data. The navigation information includes a metadata indicator indicating whether metadata associated with the moving picture data exists. The metadata is additional information describing content of the moving picture data, and the navigation information includes linking information identifying metadata associated with the moving picture data if the metadata indicator indicates metadata associated with the moving picture data exists. The navigation area may also store a content reference that references the moving picture data associated with the metadata.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is for a DVD on which a TS-VOB, and pieces of playback path information each showing a playback path of the TS-VOB are recorded. When extended control with various contents can be executed by an apparatus at the time of playback, an extended attribute section in which extended control is valid is specified in accordance with the contents of the extended control. When an extended attribute section is to be uniformly specified for playback paths of the TS-VOB, a section marker for specifying a location of the extended attribute section of the TS-VOB is generated in VOB information. When an extended attribute section is to be individually specified for one playback path, a section marker specifying a location of the extended attribute section of the playback path is generated in PGC information. The generated VOB information and PGC information are written to the DVD.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for extracting a more appropriate representative frame image from moving image data that includes a plurality of frames of image data arranged in a time series includes: an input unit configured to input moving image data; a detecting unit configured to detect a frame image, which includes an image similar to a prescribed image pattern; a tracking unit configured to detect a frame image, which includes an image similar to the image included in the detected frame image; a storage unit configured to store successive frame images that have been detected by the tracking unit; a splitting unit configured to split the moving image data into a plurality of time intervals; and an extracting unit configured to extract a representative frame image using different evaluation rules.

Abstract: Multimedia content is stored onto a relatively permanent, portable storage medium in accordance with at least two standards that allow the content to be recovered on a playback device with the highest possible resolution and fidelity. Linking between the various types of content stored according to the at least two standards allows the presentation of content at the highest quality possible.

Abstract: A remote control system (1) comprises a plurality of controlled devices (100, 100a, etc.), a specifying means (101) for specifying one controlled device (100) that the user desires as a remote control target, and a control device (200) for remotely controlling the one controlled device according to first identification information for identifying the one controlled device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and to reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium. The present recording medium has script files including additional information about moving picture data, e.g., scene descriptive text and introduction of characters, etc. In addition, information linking each script file with a section of moving picture data to be presented with contents of the script file is included in a link data file or is contained in a filename of the script file. In reproduction of the recording medium, a script file linked with presently reproduced moving picture data section is determined and searched for based on the link data file or every filename of the script files, and contents of the found script file are presented together with the presently reproduced moving picture data. Furthermore, previously presented additional information is removed depending on data or filename of the found script file.

Abstract: In a method of controlling multiple decoders in an optical disc player system to read encoded bitstream data divided into multiple sectors from a buffer memory, one of the sectors stored in the buffer memory is read according to a reading pointer associated with one of the decoders that sent out a bitstream request. When a header portion of the sector that is being read from the buffer memory indicates a bitstream type corresponding to that of the bitstream request, a data portion of the sector is transferred to the decoder that sent out the bitstream request, and the reading pointer is adjusted to point to a next one of the sectors stored in the buffer memory. An optical disc player system for implementing the method and an optical disc player system capable of saving the memory bandwidth between a bitstream demultiplexer and a memory are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical disc (100) is provided with a recording region where prescribed clock information (WBL) is preformatted for recording. The clock information is (i) included in a first frequency band that is definable by a first reference frequency (Fstd) (that is impossible for a conventional reproducing device to detect by a detecting method based on a self-correlation) and is (ii) defined by a frequency that is integer times the first frequency.

Abstract: A BD-ROM 100 and a local storage 200 contain dynamic scenarios (programs) such as a Java application and a Movie Object. A dynamic scenario reads profile information from PSR 31 of the playback apparatus and judges whether or not the playback apparatus is an audio-only type. If it is judged that the playback apparatus is not the audio-only type, an interactive screen is displayed to perform a control to play back a digital stream according to an operation made onto the interactive screen. If it is judged that the playback apparatus is the audio-only type, a control is performed to play back a digital stream according to an operation that is made without use of the interactive screen.

Abstract: Play start position information updater stores play position information in play start position information storage unit based on the stoppage of play of a content. Play start position information exchanger transmits and receives play position information to and from other content playing apparatuses, and stores the received play position information in play start position information storage means. Play start position checker refers to the play position information and determines a play start position.

Abstract: A content playing device includes: an identifying unit to identify, with regard to subsidiary contents created by secondarily using contents as editing material and having playback control information instructing playback of actual content data of source editing material contents which are primary contents serving as source editing material, lacking primary contents which are the source editing material contents that are not included in held primary contents deemed to be held by a user; a sample content obtaining unit to externally obtain sample contents corresponding to the lacking primary contents; and a playback processing unit to execute, at the time of playing subsidiary contents following playback control information, playback signal processing for actual content data of held source editing material contents currently existing as the held primary contents regarding held source editing material contents, and playback signal processing for actual content data of corresponding sample contents regarding the

Abstract: Disclosed are a streaming service and a playback device using a scalable video coding (SVC) server that provides a 3-screen or n-screen service using an SVC technology. Here, n may be a number greater than 3. A streaming service and terminal playing system using an SVC server may provide a single video content by constructing a single bit stream to have various spatial resolutions and qualities such as a high-definition (HD) level, a standard definition (SD) level, an H.264 level, and the like, and various frame-rates, thereby receiving a bit stream in a receiving terminal, and restoring and playing the bit stream so as to provide an optimal service to a terminal in various network environments and having various characteristics.

Abstract: Movies are produced in 24 Hz frame frequency and progressive scanning format (denoted 24p) for projection in film theatres, adhering to a worldwide standard for 35 mm film. However, the major TV systems in the world use interlaced scanning and either 50 Hz field frequency (denoted 50i) or 60 Hz field frequency (denoted 60i). Content providers would prefer providing single-picture-frequency single-audio-speed AV discs that can be replayed in most parts of the world. According to the invention, For a 50 HZ output mode, in the media player either audio signal frames are dropped adaptively or video fields or frames are repeated adaptively, depending on the current video and audio content. Thereby the less perceptible stream controls the synchronization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recoding apparatus and a recording method, a playback apparatus and a playback method, a recording/playback apparatus and a recording/playback method, and a program, whereby processing relating to a file can be readily performed. With a video camera wherein with regard to H.264/AVC for example, which is a coding method arranged to encode or decode data, a codec class arranged to classify the performance of a codec configured to encode or decode data, and a codec level serving as a group of said one or more codec classes whose upper compatibility is ensured, are based on stipulated specifications, data is encoded into, for example, coded data of a codec class #2, for example, within a codec level AVC_A by H.264/AVC. The coded data is recorded in a recording medium, for example, as a file “AVCA0001.MP4” whose file name represents the codec level AVC_A of the coded data.

Abstract: An entertainment system, having a capability to playback a stored digital video record that includes frames of video data received from a television broadcast system, approximates ranges of frames in a digital video record that are either commercials or non-commercials. The system also approximates frames that are either a beginning or an ending of a commercial or a non-commercial. The system then associates as a commercial two of the approximated frames that are a beginning or an ending of a commercial or a non-commercial and one or more of the approximated ranges there between until a predetermined percentage of the playback time of the digital video record is taken up by the associated commercials.

Abstract: A playback apparatus has a platform 1410 that is a program execution environment of an application 1400. When the platform 1410 initiates the application 1400, a graphics information transmission unit 1403, which corresponds to an API function, obtains graphics information and stores the graphics information in a graphics information storage unit 1413. A graphics information control unit 1414 selects graphics information to be rendered, based on a stream event obtained by a stream event reception unit 1416 and the graphics information stored in the graphics information storage unit 1413. The graphics information control unit 1414 has a graphics rendition unit 1415 render the selected graphics with a video playback timing relating to the stream event.

Abstract: Provided is a recording/playback apparatus that externally acquires an uncompressed digital video signal. The recording/playback apparatus includes a compression unit compressing the uncompressed digital video signal frame-by-frame to generate compressed video data, and a record unit successively selecting, in accordance with a predetermined selection method for selecting which of the compressed video data and uncompressed video data of the uncompressed digital video signal to record, a piece of the compressed video data or the uncompressed video data, adding time information to a predetermined unit of the selected video data piece to indicate a display timing thereof, and recording the selected video data piece to the recording medium, whether the selected video data piece is compressed or uncompressed being identifiable.

Abstract: An example multichannel video player includes a digital processor, random access memory coupled to the digital processor, a plurality of video outputs coupled to the digital processor and non-volatile memory coupled to the digital processor. The non-volatile memory includes program instructions which are transferrable to the random access memory and are executable on the digital processor. The non-volatile memory also includes a plurality of multichannel video tracks. An example method for providing a multichannel video system includes storing on a server a plurality of video tracks, where each video track includes a plurality of synchronized video segments, transferring at least one video track from the server to a player computer over the Internet and storing the at least one video track in non-volatile memory of the player computer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, a reproduction apparatus, and a file management method are disclosed wherein the operability in management of a large number of files recorded on a recording medium using an index file can be improved significantly further than ever. An index file is formed from a series of entries of extract information from a large number of files. Information indicative of a relationship between the files is set to the index file. The index file is used to manage a large number of files and so forth recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: There is provided an image reproduction apparatus for seamlessly reproducing a connected stream which is obtained by connecting plural streams that are respectively coded by different codec methods. An image reproduction apparatus (100) for reproducing a connected stream which is obtained by connecting plural streams of different codec methods such as an MPEG-2 method and an MPEG-4 AVC method is provided with a stream buffer (102) in which the connected stream Bst is stored, and plural decoders Dd1˜Ddn corresponding to the various kinds of codec methods, and a decoder for decoding each stream in the connected stream Bst that is outputted from the stream buffer (102) is selected from among the plural decoders according to the codec method of each stream.

Abstract: In the method, video data is reproduced from the recording medium, and an I-picture and a number of P-pictures are output as a still picture based on the reproduced video data. The output data may then be received and decoded for display.

Abstract: A stream data reproducing system comprising: an input buffer configured to accumulate stream data input from a stream source; a decode circuit configured to decode the stream data accumulated in the input buffer by predetermined processing unit to generate decode data; an output buffer configured to output the decode data after accumulation thereof; a transfer memory cell configured to store the stream data accumulated in the input buffer and the decode data generated in the decode core circuit; and a data transfer control circuit configured to control transfer of the stream data by the processing unit from the input buffer to the transfer memory cell, and transfer of the decode data by the processing unit from the transfer memory cell to the output buffer.

Abstract: A technique is provided for use in a handheld multimedia device that uses the historical load profile statistics of a particular multimedia stream to dynamically scale the computational power of a computing engine, depending upon the complexity of the multimedia content and thereby reduce the power consumption for computationally less intensive content and consequently reduce the power consumption by a significant amount over a duration of time.

Abstract: A media processing method for performing media processing by causing a processor to execute plural program modules, includes controlling input/output of media data, determining at least one call time, and calling a second program module in a second layer at each determined call time, by executing a first program module in a first layer, the first layer being higher than the second layer. The method further includes causing the processor to perform data conversion on the media data, by executing the second program module in the second layer, the data conversion being part of the media processing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content playback device includes a receiving module which receives a plurality of channels including content, a selection module which selects a desired channel from a plurality of channels, a playback module which plays back a content item included in the selected channel, and a creation module which creates a special clock based on a playback time of a content item for the selected channel.

Abstract: Data management information includes recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recoding the data, indicating a time difference between the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a location where the data has been recorded; and data recording time information (REC_TM) indicating a recording time when the data has been recorded, in accordance with the standard time indicated by the time zone information (TM_ZONE) wherein the reproduction apparatus includes means for reproducing the data; and specifying means for specifying a local recording time in a location where the data has been recorded, and wherein the specifying means calculates the local recording time in the location where the data has been recorded, by (REC_TM)?(TM_ZONE)+(REC_TM_ZONE) where (REC_TM) is the data recording time information, (TM_ZONE) is the time zone information, and (REC_TM_ZONE) is the recording time zone information.

Abstract: A standard Clip Information (“CLPI”) file is pre-defined for use in a Blu-ray environment. The CLPI file is structured to specify a set of parameters that are determined independent of any particular content segment. A content segment is structured to conform to the standard CLPI file, including to the set of parameters. The standard CLPI file is used to stream the content segment to the Blu-ray player.

Abstract: A three-dimensional stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment has a disc reproducing unit 201 capable of reading content recorded in a disc 201, a video decoder 303 for decoding the content read by a disc reproducing unit 201 and outputting at least a video signal, a CPU 305 for generating notifying information for notifying that the content recorded in the disc 201 is 3D content when the content recorded in the disc 201 is 3D content, an output unit 206 for outputting the notifying information or the video signal decoded by the video decoder 305 to an outside of a reproducing apparatus 101. Before the video signal decoded by the decoder 201 is output to the outside of the reproducing apparatus 101, the output unit 206 outputs the notifying information to the outside of the reproducing apparatus 101.

Abstract: An information storage medium storing event information for generating an event with reference to an audio/video data structure and an apparatus and method thereof. The information storage medium includes: core data, that includes audio/video data and navigation data for reproducing the audio/video data; and program data that is used for interaction with a user, wherein the program data includes event occurrence information for generating an event with reference to a clip information file including characteristic information for an AV clip constructing the AV data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking a sequence of events associated with a digital recording device are disclosed. Example methods and apparatus read first information transmitted on a data bus in communication with a mass storage device associated with the digital recording device and identify a set of digital information to be stored on the mass storage device based at least in part on the first information. The example methods and apparatus read second information transmitted on the data bus to derive storage location information associated with the set of digital information. Additionally, the example methods and apparatus store time information together with the storage location information to generate a sequence of events record corresponding to the sequence of events associated with the digital recording device.

Abstract: A method for transitioning a video system is disclosed. The method generally includes a first step for (A) executing in a processing circuit a standby code stored in a nonvolatile memory while the video system is in an off state, the off state defining a low power configuration for the processing circuit and a power off condition for the video system, the standby code being responsive to a plurality of wake up conditions to wake up the video system. In a second step, the method may (B) store an application code in a volatile memory while in the off state, the application code configured to operate the video system while in an on state of the video system. The method generally includes a third step for (C) transitioning from the off state to the on state upon detection of at least one of the wake up conditions. A step for (D) executing in the processing circuit the application code while in the on state to decode video may also exist in the method.

Abstract: For a BD-ROM, a picture-in-picture function and a wallpaper display function are accomplished. A second video plane 50 for displaying a moving picture is added to planes 10, 11, and 12 for displaying a moving picture, a subtitle, and graphics, respectively. One of the outputs of the second video plane 50 and the video plane 10 is selected by a switch 51 on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Reduced moving picture data are stored on the second video plane 50. The switch 51 is controlled according to a display position of the reduced moving picture data on a pixel-by-pixel basis. As a result, reduced moving picture data of the second video plane 50 are displayed as a sub screen against the moving picture data of the video plane 10. When wallpaper picture data instead of the moving picture data are stored on the video plane 10, a display screen is obtained as if a wallpaper were displayed in the background of the reduced moving picture data.