Information processing apparatus

An information processing apparatus having a function of reproducing digital information recorded on a recording medium, said apparatus comprising:

• binarizing means for transferring a reproduction signal read from the recording medium into a binary signal;
• means for forming from the binary signal a bit synchronous signal for use when the digital information is decoded;
• means for detecting an inverted portion of the binary signal with a window of a predetermined period set on the basis of the bit synchronous signal and for producing a synchronous binary signal synchronized with the bit synchronous signal in accordance with a result of the detection;
• decoding means for decoding the digital information on the recording medium on the basis of the synchronous binary signal and the bit synchronous signal;
• means for varying the period of the window;
• and
• error correction means for correcting an error of the binary signal, wherein said varying means varies the period of the window in accordance with a result of the error correction by said error correction means, and
• wherein said varying means widens the period of the window in conformity with an increase in a number of error corrections or the success or failure of error correction.

An information processing apparatus having a function of reproducing digital information recorded on a recording medium, said apparatus comprising:

• binarizing means for transforming a reproduction signal read from the recording medium into a binary signal;
• means for forming from the binary signal a bit synchronous signal for use when the digital information is decoded;
• means for detecting an inverted position of the binary signal with a window of a predetermined period set on the basis of the bit synchronous signal and for producing a synchronous binary signal synchronized with the bit synchronous signal in accordance with a result of the detection;
• decoding means for decoding the digital information on the recording medium on the basis of the synchronous binary signal and the bit synchronous signal;
• and
• means for varying the period of the window,
• wherein the digital information includes pattern synchronous information, and said varying means varies the period of the window when the pattern synchronous information is read out from the recording medium, and
• wherein said varying means makes the period of the window narrower than that during ordinary reproduction when the pattern synchronous information is read out from the recording medium.