Abstract:
An apparatus for reproducing signals from a multi-layer disc (1) provided with a first layer (105) containing recorded high-quality digital audio data and a second layer (102) containing recorded low-quality digital audio data. In this apparatus, the high-quality digital audio data and the low-quality digital audio data reproduced from the first and second layers respectively are once stored in a memory (9), and then the high-quality digital audio data and the low-quality digital audio data of the same content stored in the memory (9) are reproduced therefrom alternately, so that the tone qualities of such reproduced data can be compared and evaluated distinctly.
Abstract:
A terminal apparatus into which one of a first and a second memory card is selectively inserted. The first memory card is designed to store contents subject to copyright protection whereas the second memory card is arranged to accommodate contents not subject to copyright protection. The two cards are substantially the same in shape. If a user inadvertently inserts the second memory card into the apparatus in order to record contents subject to copyright protection, the contents are allowed to be recorded to the inserted card at a lowered level of data quality. This averts an outright failure to record copyright-protected contents for which the user has properly paid to a copyright-noncompliant memory card.
Abstract:
An apparatus for reproducing a multi-layer disc which has a first layer (101) containing a recorded multi-bit digital signal quantized at a first sampling frequency and a second layer (102) containing a recorded 1-bit digital signal quantized at a second higher sampling frequency. The apparatus comprises a layer switching means (23) capable of executing an instruction to selectively switch the signal reproduction of the first layer (101) and that of the second layer (102); and a reproduction control means for preferentially setting the signal reproduction from either the first or second layer when the multi-layer disc is loaded in the apparatus, and in response to a manipulation of the layer switching means (23), selectively switching the setting of the signal reproduction relative to the first and second layers. A display means (13) is also incorporated to discriminably indicate thereon the layer selected by a manipulation of the layer switching means (23), hence enabling the user to recognize the layer being currently reproduced.
Abstract:
A control CPU (79) monitors the input from an optical digital input interface (72) to check that the optical digital input interface (72) is connected with an optical cable. The CPU (79) checks for an ACK signal in an IEEE1394 interface (71) to determine whether the IEEE1394 interface is connected with another device. The data input from IEEE1394 interface (71) is preferentially stored in a disk (76) according to the result of determination.
Abstract:
A RECORDING APPARATUS (I) FOR USE WHEN PROGRAMS ARE DUBBED ONE AFTER ANOTHER ACCOMPANIED BY CHARACTER INPUT. IF A USER HAS NOT FINISHED INPUTTING CHARACTERS SUCH AS A TITLE ABOUT THE CURRENTLY DUBBED PROGRAM, THE APPARATUS (I) PLACES THE DUBBING OF THE NEXT PROGRAM INTO A STANDBY STATE SO THAT THE USER MAY TAKE HIS TIME ENTERING THE NECESSARY CHARACTERS REGARDING THE CURRENT PROGRAM. THE MOST ILLUSTRATIVE DRAWING IS
Abstract:
Similarly dimensioned copyright-compliant or copyright-noncompliant flash memory cards may be inserted into terminal apparatus. When the terminal apparatus determines that the attached card is of the non-secure type, music data from a PC may be stored in the card via the apparatus, but with lower quality than if the card is copyright-compliant. This allows a user to record copyright-protected files, for which proper payment has been made, when a copyright-compliant storage card is not available. The files may comprise audio, video or still pictures. Audio files supplied in the ATRAC3 format may be stored on the card in the lower quality ADPCM format. Alternatively, files supplied in stereo format may be stored in mono format.
Abstract:
Similarly-dimensioned secure and non-secure flash memory cards may be inserted into a portable recording and playing device for the transfer of audio, video, game, photograph or software files. If the device is of secure type and detects that the attached card is not secure the device will not read data from or output data to the card. Conversely, if the device is of non-secure type it will not read data from or output data to a secure card. Unsuitable copyright-compliant or copyright-noncompliant cards may be ejected from the device. Copyright-protected files may include music, videos and games. Non-copyright material may include free software or private photographs or recordings.
Abstract:
The terminal includes a compression processor (7) for ADPCM processing of a first compressed input signal that was subjected to ATRAC3 compression processing. The ADPCM processing uses a lower compression ratio than the ATRAC3 processing. A selector selects either a ATRAC3 compressed signal or a signal supplied by the compression processor. A judgement device (2b) determines if a memory card inserted into the terminal is a first or a second memory card, the first memory card having a copyright protection circuit. A recording device records the compressed signal onto the inserted memory card. Independent claims are included for three further terminals.
Abstract:
Endgerät zum Aufzeichnen und Wiedergeben digitaler Audiosignale, in welches eine erste oder eine zweite Speicherkarte (40A, 40B) wahlweise eingeführt wird, wobei die erste Speicherkarte (40A) einen Sicherheitsblock (52) zum Urheberrechtsschutz und die zweite Speicherkarte keinen Sicherheitsblock zum Urheberrechtsschutz trägt, wobei das Endgerät umfasst: einen Anschluss (9) zum Empfangen eines komprimiertes Eingangssignals, welches einer ersten Kompressionsverarbeitung (ATRAC3) unterzogen wurde; einen Codierer/Decodierer (7) zum sequentiellen Anwenden einer Dekompression, einer Digital/Analog-Umwandlung, einer Analog/Digital-Umwandlung und einer zweiten Kompressionsverarbeitung (ADPCM) auf das komprimierte Eingangssignal, um ein zweites komprimiertes Signal auszugeben, wobei die zweite Kompressionsverarbeitung (ADPCM) hinsichtlich der Kompressionswirksamkeit schwächer als die erste Kompressionsverarbeitung (ATRAC3) ist, eine Auswahleinrichtung (75) zum Auswählen entweder des komprimierten Eingangssignals, welches der ersten Kompressionsverarbeitung (ATRAC3) unterzogen wurde, oder des zweiten komprimierten Signals, welches durch den Codierer/Decodierer geliefert wird; eine Beurteilungseinrichtung (2b) zum Beurteilen, ob eine in das Endgerät eingeführte Speicherkarte die erste Speicherkarte (40A) oder die zweite Speicherkarte (40B) ist; eine Steuerung (2) zum Steuern der Auswahleinrichtung (75) gemäß einer Beurteilung, die durch die Beurteilungseinrichtung (2b) gemacht wird; und eine Aufzeichnungseinrichtung zum Aufzeichnen des durch die Steuerung (2) ausgewählten, komprimierten Signals auf die eingeführte Speicherkarte, wobei, wenn durch die Beurteilungseinrichtung (2b) beurteilt wird, dass die eingeführte Speicherkarte die erste Speicherkarte (40A) ist, die Steuerung (2) das komprimierte Eingangssignal auswählt und die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung das ausgewählte komprimierte Eingangssignal auf der eingeführten ersten Speicherkarte (40A) aufzeichnet, und wenn durch die Beurteilungseinrichtung (2b) beurteilt wird, dass die eingeführte Speicherkarte die zweite Speicherkarte (40B) ist, die Steuerung (2) das zweite komprimierte Signal auswählt und die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung das zweite komprimierte Signal auf der eingeführten zweiten Speicherkarte (40B) aufzeichnet.