JP2001069461A - Reproducing device, reproducing method and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate retrieval based on recording time while reducing the data size of still picture group (VOBG) managing information by comparing first recording time and last recording time in the managing information with designated time and selectively displaying a still picture belonging to that VOBG. SOLUTION: At the time of recording, when the number of still pictures 1 reaches 64, for example, and at the time of switching from dynamic picture recording to still picture recording, a VOBG 2 is generated. The encoded stream data of still pictures 1 are recorded on an optical disk as VOB file 11. A VOB managing file 12 for defining the VOBG 2 is provided with managing information 3 for ever VOBG 2 and holds first recording time 7 and last recording time 8 concerning the still pictures in the VOBG 2 together with a VOBG ID 4 there. When a user designates recording time, the VOBG 2 including that time between the first recording time 7 and the last recording time 8 is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a rewritable recording medium, a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus, a recording method for the recording medium, and a computer program for realizing the recording method. In particular, the recording medium is suitable for an optical disc on which a large amount of still image data is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large-capacity and rewritable optical disk recording medium such as a DVD-RAM or a DVD-RW has appeared, and a technology for recording data such as images and sounds has been actively developed. . As video data, ISO / IEC11172 standard and ISO / IEC
MPEG (Moving Picture) described in IEC13818
Experts Group) data is generally used. As still image data, the MP
Intra-frame coded data (I picture) of EG system and ISO / IEC
Data encoded by the JPEG method described in the 10918-1 standard is generally used.

As a device for recording encoded moving images and still images together with audio, a digital VCR (digital video cassette record device) using a magnetic tape as a recording medium is used.
r) or an electronic still camera (electrical stil) using a memory such as a flash memory as a recording medium.
l camera?) is already in practical use.

A recording apparatus using an optical disk such as a DVD-RAM as a recording medium is a conventional digital V
Compared to CR and electronic still cameras, random access, difficult to achieve when using magnetic tape, large capacity, difficult to achieve when using flash memory, etc., and low cost per bit Features such as.
Therefore, a recording apparatus using an optical disk recording medium can freely define a reproduction order different from the recorded data order, and can handle a large number of still images of tens of thousands. It is expected to spread.

[0005]

A DVD-RAM can record both moving pictures and still pictures. Particularly for still images, a huge number of still images can be recorded as compared with a conventional electronic still camera.

For example, assuming that the recording capacity of a DVD-RAM is 4.7 GB and the data size of a still picture (I picture) encoded by the MPEG method is about 80 KB, about 64,000 data is required until the disk becomes full. One still image can be recorded.

[0007] Unlike a recording medium such as a digital VCR which reproduces data in the recorded order, an optical disk medium such as a DVD-RAM enables random access.
To achieve this, management information such as the address and size of the still image data recorded on the optical disc and the reproduction time of the audio data recorded along with the still image is also recorded.

When reproducing a still image by a reproducing apparatus, there are two steps: a step of reading an address of still image data from management data recorded on an optical disk medium; and a step of reproducing still image data recorded at the read address. Steps are needed. Therefore, when reproducing a plurality of still images, the above two steps are required each time one image is reproduced.

When recording still image data and the like on an optical disk by a recording apparatus, two steps are required: a step of recording still image data and a step of recording management information such as the address of the still image. Therefore, even when a plurality of still images are recorded, the above two steps are required every time one image is recorded.

An optical disk recording or reproducing apparatus has an optical head for recording or reading information. This optical head is larger and heavier than a magnetic head, and therefore has a slow access speed. Therefore, if the above two steps are required,
It takes time to reproduce or record a plurality of still images, and it is difficult to realize high-speed random access.

In order to solve this problem, in an optical disk recording and reproducing apparatus, management information read from the optical disk is recorded in a memory in the apparatus. In the playback device,
Once the management information is recorded in the memory in the apparatus, it is not necessary to read out the management information on the disk every time one still image is reproduced, and the time for reproducing a plurality of still images can be reduced. In the recording device, management information of a plurality of still image data is recorded in a memory in the device, and these are collectively collected.
Recording on a disk eliminates the need to record management information on the disk every time one image is recorded, and can reduce the time for recording a plurality of still images.

However, a large-capacity recording medium such as a DVD-RAM records a large number of tens of thousands of still images.
The information for managing the recorded still image data becomes enormous, and the memory in the device for recording the data needs to have a large capacity. In recent years, although the unit price of memory has been decreasing, it is difficult to install a megabyte of memory as consumer AV equipment. Handling is impractical as a consumer AV device.

In order to solve this problem, for example, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-169491 has been proposed by some of the inventors of the present application. According to this, the management information such as the address and size of the still image data and the reproduction time of the audio data is recorded in a variable length management information table proportional to the number of still images and the number of audios. By
The increase in the data size of the management information is suppressed.

However, the above technique does not consider the following cases.

The first is management of the recording time of the still image data. In the above-mentioned technique, since a search using a recording time cannot be performed, there is an inconvenience to a request to search for a desired still image from a huge number of still images.

For example, as shown in FIG.
TM) is represented by a data structure of a total of 7 bytes of year (2 bytes), month (1 byte), day (1 byte), hour (1 byte), minute (1 byte), and second (1 byte). Recording time for each still image
When (RECTM) is added and recorded, the management information further increases by about 438 kilobytes (= 64000 * 7) in addition to the data size assumed by the above technology.

As described above, in order to realize high-speed random access, management information should always be recorded in the memory of the system control unit in the apparatus. For reduction, that is, cost reduction, it is necessary to minimize the data size of the management information.

A first object of the present invention is to realize a search based on a recording time and to have a data management structure for suppressing an increase in the data size of management information. , And a computer program for realizing them.

The second case is when a still image is deleted.

FIG. 12 shows a still image management method described in the above technology. First, still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) for managing a plurality of still image data (VOB) (101) as a still image group (VOBG) (102) is provided. The still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) contains the still image group identification information (V
OBG_ID) (104), start and end address information (VOBG_Address) (105) of the still image group (VOBG) (102), and image number information (V_I_Num) indicating the number of still images managed by this group.
ber) (1015) and management information of the image portion of the still image (VOB) (101)
(V_I) An image management information table (V_I_
Table) (1016), audio number information (A_I_Number) (1018) indicating the number of audios managed in this group, and audio management information table that summarizes only audio part management information (A_I) (1020)
(A_I_Table) (1019). Image management information (V_I) (1017)
Is composed of an image data size (V_Size) (1021) and audio pointer information (A_I_PTR) (1022) for linking to audio management information (A_I) (1020) corresponding to the audio to be reproduced synchronously.
The audio management information (A_I) (1020) includes address information (A_Address) (1023) of audio data and an audio data size (A_Size) (10
24), audio playback time (A_PTM) (1025), and audio pointer information (A_I_PTR) (1026) for linking to other audio management information (A_I) (1020). If there is no audio to link, audio pointer information (A_I_PTR) (1022) (102
As 6), NULL indicating an invalid value is recorded.

In the above technique, the image management information table (V_I
_Table) (1016) and voice management information table (A_I_Table) (101
9), and voice address information (A_Address) (1023) in voice management information (A_I) (1020).

Still picture and audio data are recorded in a file on a recording medium. At this time, since the addresses in the file are continuous, if the still image and the audio reproduced in synchronization with the still image are deleted, the file is reconfigured so that the addresses in the file are continuous except for the deleted part. Therefore, when the recording position of the audio data is managed by the address information (A_Address) (1023) in the file, all the address information (A
_Address) (1023) needs to be replaced with new address information after reconfiguration. Therefore, when a large amount of still image data of up to several tens of thousands is recorded, the time required for replacing address information becomes enormous. On the other hand, FIG.
As shown in (a), the address information (1023) is simply deleted from the configuration of the management information shown in FIG. 12 and the data size (1021) (1024) of the image or audio is integrated from the beginning to obtain the address information. Can be considered.

When this method is used, the replacement after the above-mentioned reconstruction is not necessary, but the following problem occurs.

For example, as shown in FIG.
After recording the image part (V_Part # 1) (1027), the audio part (A_Part # 1) (1028) is dubbed to the still image # 1, and the image part (V_Part # 2 ) (1029) and the image portion (V_Part # 1) (1030) of still image # 1 and the image portion (V_Part # 1) of still image # 2 as shown in FIG.
2) After recording (1031), the audio part (A_P
art # 1) (1032) after recording, despite the different data structures in the files, the V_I # 1 in the image management information table (V_I_Table) (1016) as shown in FIG.
(1017-1) is V_Part # 1 (1027) or V_Part # 1 (1030)
Image data size (V_Size # 1) (1021-1) and A_Part # 1 (1
028) or voice pointer information (A_I_PTR # 1) (1022-1) for linking to A_Part # 1 (1032),
I # 2 (1017-2) is V_Part # 2 (1029) or V_Part # 2 (10
31) Image data size (V_Size # 2) (1021-2) and audio pointer information to indicate that there is no audio to link
(NULL) (1022-2), A_I # 1 (1020) is A_Part # 1
(1028) or A_Part # 1 (1032) audio data size (A
_Size # 1) (1024), audio playback time (A_PTM # 1) (1025), and audio pointer information (NULL) (1026) to indicate that there is no audio to be linked. The problem disappears.

The image management information (V_I) shown in FIG.
The configuration of (1017) and voice management information (A_I) (1020) is redundant, and there is room for further reducing the data size.

A second object of the present invention is to manage still image data and audio data reproduced in synchronism with the still image data without any problem, and to greatly reduce the time required for reconstructing management information when a still image is deleted. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus for an optical disk having a data management structure capable of suppressing the data size of management information, and a computer program for realizing the same.

[0027]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, at least still image data (VOB) is recorded on a recording medium and N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still image data (VO) is recorded. VOB) is recorded as a still image group (VOBG), and the still image group management information (VOBGI) is recorded in the still image group management information (VOBGI).
G) Recording time of the first recorded still image data (VOB)
(F_RECTM) and the recording time (L_RECTM) of the last recorded still image data (VOB) are recorded.

In order to solve the above problem, at least still image data (VOB) is recorded on a recording medium and N
(Where N is an integer of 1 or more) Still image group management information (VOBGI) for managing still image data (VOB) as a still image group (VOBG) is recorded, and the still image group management information (VOBG) is recorded.
I) has a still image management information table (VOBI_Table), and the still image management information table (VOBI_Table) is a still image management information (hereinafter referred to as audio) having no audio (hereinafter, audio) reproduced in synchronization with the still image. , First still image management information (V_I)), and still image management information (hereinafter, second still image management) having only audio (hereinafter, original audio) recorded at substantially the same time as the still image recording time. Information (V_OA_I)) and management information (hereinafter, third still image management information) of a still image having only audio (hereinafter, dubbed audio) that has been additionally recorded (hereinafter, dubbed audio) with respect to an already recorded still image. (V_AA_I)) and still image management information (VOBI) classified as any of still image management information having both original sound and post-recording sound (hereinafter referred to as fourth still image management information (V_OA_AA_I)). And the still image management information table
The storage order of the still image management information (VOBI) in (VOBI_Table) is the same as the recording order of the still images (VOB).

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention for achieving the first object will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of the first embodiment. In the figure, first, N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still images (VOB) (1) encoded with the MPEG I-picture or the like are combined into a still image group (VOBG) (2). . When the number of still images (VOB) (1) in the still image group (VOBG) (2) reaches a certain value (for example, 64) during still image recording, or when moving image recording to still image recording When you switch modes,
Control is performed to generate the next still image group (VOBG) (2). Still image (VOB) (1) data (encoded stream data)
Is recorded on a recording medium as a VOB file (11) described later, and information for defining a still image group (VOBG) (2) is V
It is recorded on a recording medium as an OB management file (12).

The VOB management file (VOBGI) (12) is composed of management information (VOBGI) (3) corresponding to each still image group (VOBG) (2). That is, management information (VOBGI) (3) is provided for each still image group (VOBG) (2). Note that information for managing M (where M is an integer of 1 or more) management information (VOBGI) (3) may be separately stored in the VOB management file (VOBGI) (12). Then, illustration is omitted. Management information (VOBGI) (3)
Is the still image group identifier (VOBG_ID) (4), VOB number information
(5), VOB map (6), first recording time (F_RECTM) (7), and last recording time (L_RECTM) (8). Hereinafter, each item will be described.

The still picture group identifier (VOBG_ID) (4) contains the management information (VOBGI) (3) and the corresponding still picture group.
This is information for identifying (VOBG) (2), and has a unique value in the VOB management file (12). It is also possible to substitute a serial number from the beginning in the VOB management file (12), in which case the still image group identifier (VOBG_ID) (4) can be omitted.

The VOB number information (5) is a still image group (VOBG)
(2) Number of still images (VOB) (1) existing in (the above-mentioned integer N)
Is information representing According to this VOB number, the VOB described next
The data length of the map (6) is determined.

The VOB map (6) holds information on the address (9) and the attribute (10) of the still image (VOB) (1) for each still image (VOB). Note that a desired address can also be obtained by holding a data size instead of the address (9) and summing the data size from the beginning. As the attribute (10), the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the still image, the display time of the still image, the presence / absence of audio to be reproduced in synchronization with the still image, the audio reproduction time, the address of audio data, and the like can be considered.

As described above, it is conceivable to hold the recording time (RECTM) as management information for each still image (VOB) (1), but in this case, the data size of the management information becomes too large. The first recording time (F_RECTM) (7) and the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8) are one of the features of the present invention. Therefore, by holding the recording time (RECTM) for each still image group (VOBG) (2) in which N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still images (VOB) (1) Reduce. Furthermore, among the still image recording times (RECTM) in the still image group (VOBG) (2), the first recording time (F_RECTM)
By holding both (7) and the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8), a search using time as a key becomes possible. That is, the recording time of the still image that the user wants to play or search
(TM), and the recording time (TM) is the corresponding still image group (VOBG) (2), that is, TM is temporally future or equal to F_RECTM, and TM is temporally longer than L_RECTM. Past or equal relationship (F_RECTM (7) ≦ TM ≦ L_REC
Only the still image group (VOBG) (2) that satisfies the TM (8) relationship can be selected and reproduced or searched. According to the present invention, by recording the data management structure shown in FIG. 1 on an optical disk, it is not necessary to manually search for a desired one from a maximum of about 64000 still images, and a still image group (VOBG) Since it is possible to search from the maximum number of still images (for example, 64), the usability is greatly improved.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a directory structure used in the first embodiment of the present invention. D
In a recording medium such as a VD-RAM, encoded stream data such as a still image, management information data, and the like are recorded as a file as a set of logical data. In the recording medium,
It has a directory structure starting from the root directory (13).
Generate and maintain a B file (11) and a VOB management file (12). The VOB file (11) and the VOB management file (12) may be recorded directly under the root directory (13) without using the subdirectory (14).
Create a subdirectory in (4) and file (11)
And the VOB management file (12) may be recorded.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the time information used in the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows that the recording time (RECTM) is
5) 2 bytes, month (16) 1 byte, day (17) 1 byte, hour
This is an example of a data structure in which (18) is represented by 1 byte, minute (19) is represented by 1 byte, and second (20) is represented by 1 byte. Similarly, the first recording time (F_RECTM) (7) and the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8) may use this data structure. In this case, only 14 bytes are added for F_RECTM and L_RECTM per still image group (VOBG), and when 64 still images are grouped, about 64000 still images that fill up the disk Only the management information of about 14 kilobytes (= (64000 * 14) / (64 * 1024)) increases. As described above, when the recording time is added to each still image and recorded, the management information is about 43
That's about 3% more than 8 kilobytes.

As a result, the amount of management information can be reduced, and the capacity of the memory in the recording / reproducing apparatus can be reduced, so that high-speed access and cost reduction can be realized.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the data structure shown in the figure, and the recording time can be represented by other bytes. Also, the recording time is changed to a specific time
(For example, the total number of seconds since January 1, 1990, 00:00:00), and the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention for achieving the first object. The figure shows the structure of management information that holds the recording time (RECTM) of each still image (VOB) as recording information on the optical disk medium, but can reduce the memory capacity of the system control unit in the device. Is shown. In the management information (VOBGI) (3), the still image group identifier (V
OBG_ID) (4), VOB number information (5), VOB map (6), first recording time (F_RECTM) (7), and last recording time (L_RECTM) (8) are shown in FIG. The configuration is the same. In addition to this,
In the management information (VOBGI) (3), the still image recording time management information (RECTM
I) Contains pointer information (RECTMI_P) (21) to (22). This pointer information (RECTMI_P) (21) is the still image recording time management information.
It indicates the address of the (RECTMI) (22) in the VOB management file (12), and may further include the data size of the still image recording time management information (RECTMI) (22). Further, the still image recording time management information (RECTMI) (22) is set as a separate file from the VOB management file (12), and the file name and the like are referred to as pointer information (RECTMI_
P) (21).

The still picture recording time management information (RECTMI) (22)
Still picture (VOB) (1) The individual recording times (RECTM) (23) are collectively held for each still picture group (VOBG) (2). In the figure, as an example, five still images (VOB) are grouped into a still image group (VOB).
G) is illustrated. In addition, each recording time
(RECTM) may be represented by the data structure shown in FIG.

Here, only the management information (VOBGI) (3) is always held in the memory of the system control unit, and the still image (VOBGI) is stored.
B) When an individual recording time is needed, the still image (V
By reading only the still image recording time management information (RECTMI) corresponding to the still image group (VOBG) to which the OB belongs into the memory, the memory capacity can be reduced.
For example, the size of the pointer information (RECTMI_P) is 4 bytes,
The maximum number of still images per still image group (VOBG) is 64,
Maximum number of still image groups is 1000 (= 64000/64), recording time
Assuming that (RECTM) is 7 bytes, the increase in required memory capacity is 4448 bytes (= 4 * 1000 + 64 * 7), and F_RE
Combined with the increase in CTM (7) and L_RECTM (8) (approximately 14 kilobytes), only about 4% of the increase required for the technology described above (approximately 438 kilobytes).

FIG. 5 shows a directory structure used in the third embodiment of the present invention to achieve the first object. Still image (VOB) (1) Individual recording time (RECTM) is often used for retrieval. The recording time is generally displayed together with a thumbnail image, which is a reduced still image, and used for search. Therefore, in addition to the directory structure shown in FIG. 2, a THM file (24) recording thumbnail images for search as described later and a THM management file (25) recording information for managing the thumbnail images are added. And still images (VO
B) (1) Each recording time (RECTM) is managed in the THM management file (25). In the figure, the THM file (24) and the THM management file (25) are referred to as the VOB file (11) and the VOB management file.
Although it is located in the same subdirectory (14) as (12), it is not limited to this, and another subdirectory may be provided and placed there.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows a still image (VOB) (1) individual recording time (RECTM)
(32) shows a method of retaining the (32) in the THM management file (25). Thumbnail management information (THMI) (29) for managing thumbnail images (28) is always stored in memory like still image management information (VOBI) (26) for managing still images (VOB) (1). Need not be stored in the memory, and may be read into the memory only at the time of retrieval. Therefore, if the recording time (RECTM) (32) is recorded in the thumbnail management information (THMI) (29), there is no need to greatly increase the memory capacity of the system control unit, and the still image (VOB) (1) The thumbnail image (28) and the thumbnail management information (THMI) (29) hold the recording time (RECTM) (32) of each still image (VOB) (1) because they correspond one-to-one as shown in the figure. can do. In the figure, the thumbnail identifier (T
(HM_ID) (27) (30) is identification information for associating the VOB management information (VOBI) (26) with the thumbnail management information (THMI) (29), and is included in the VOB management file (12) and the THM management file. (twenty five)
And a unique value.

It is also possible to substitute the thumbnail identifier (THM_ID) (27) with a serial number from the beginning in the VOB management file (12), in which case the thumbnail identifier (THM_I
D) (30) can be omitted. Also, thumbnail management information (THMI)
Address information in the THM file held in (29) (31)
Accordingly, the thumbnail management information (THMI) (29) and the thumbnail image (THM) (28) can be associated with each other. In the method shown in the figure, it is necessary to have still image management information (VOBI) (26) for each still image (VOB) (1), and the VOB management file (12) Will increase the capacity. Next, a method for improving this will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention for achieving the first object. First, as in the method shown in FIG. 1, N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still images (VOB) (1) are combined into a still image group (VOBG) (2), and each still image group (VOBG) VOBG) (2) and still image group management information (VOBGI) (3). Still image group management information
(VOBGI) (3) has pointer information (THMGI_P) (33) to thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34) described later in addition to the data structure shown in FIG.

This pointer information (THMGI_P) (33) is the THM management file of the thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34).
(25) indicates the address, and the data size of the thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34) and the THM management file (25).
It may have an address name of the like.

[0048] Thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34)
Is L in the THM file (24) (where L is an integer of 1 or more)
This is information for collecting the thumbnail images (THM) (28) and managing them as a thumbnail group (THMG) (40). When this L is matched with the number N of the still images (VOB) (1) in the still image group (VOBG) (2), the divisions of both groups match, and management becomes easy. All thumbnail group management information (T
HMGI) (34) are collected and recorded as a THM management file (25).

[0049] Thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34)
Consists of THM number information (35) and a THM map (36). The THM number information (35) indicates the above-mentioned integer L, and when the same as the integer N as described above, the still image group management information (VO
Since the VOB number information (5) in (BGI) (3) can be substituted, it may be omitted. The THM map (36) holds the address (37), attribute (38), and recording time (RECTM) (39) information of the thumbnail image (THM) (28) for each thumbnail image (THM). . Note that a desired address can be obtained by holding the data size of the thumbnail image (THM) instead of the address (37) and integrating the data size from the beginning. As the attribute (38), the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the thumbnail image (THM) (28), an encoding method, and the like can be considered, but these can be omitted by fixing them in the system.

By using such a method, when searching based on time, first, the still image group management information
A desired still image group (VOBG) is obtained by using the first recording time (F_RECTM) (7) and the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8) of each group recorded in (VOBGI) (3). Next, only the thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34) corresponding to the still image group (VOBG) is read into the memory. Thereby, an increase in the memory capacity of the system control unit can be suppressed. For example, assuming that the pointer information (THMGI_P) (33) is 4 bytes, the maximum number of still image groups (VOBG) is 1000 (= 64
000/64), the increase in the VOB management file compared to the method of FIG. 1 is 4000 bytes. Also, assuming that the maximum number of thumbnail images (THM) (28) per thumbnail group (THMG) (40) is 64, L = N and the THM number information
(35) is omitted, address (37) is 4 bytes, attribute (38)
Is omitted, and assuming that the recording time (RECTM) (39) is 7 bytes, the thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34) is 704 bytes (= 64 * (4 + 7)) per group. Therefore, the search using the time information (RECTM) (39) for each still image (VOB) (1) becomes possible only by increasing the memory by 4704 bytes as compared with the method shown in FIG. 1, and the F_RECTM (7 ) And L_RECTM (8) increase
(Approximately 14 KB), plus the additional memory required to record the recording time for each still image (approximately 438 KB)
About 4.3% of

Note that the thumbnail group management information (THMGI) (34) shown in FIG. 7 contains the recording time (RE) of each still image (VOB) (1).
CTM) (39) can be considered as information that is managed collectively, so the still image recording time management information (REC
TMI) (22).
Therefore, the pointer information (THMGI_P) (33) shown in FIG.
It includes the function of the pointer information (RECTMI_P) (21) shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

The recording / reproducing apparatus may be configured as dedicated hardware, or may be configured to control general-purpose hardware such as a personal computer according to a control procedure (hereinafter, a program) described later. In either case, the control unit (41) stores the program in the memory
It operates based on the program stored in (101). Note that the memory (101) in which the program is stored may use the same recording medium as the memory (102) in which management information described later is recorded, or the memory (101) may be used as a read-only memory (ROM) or a flash memory. Use a recording medium that is not suitable for frequently rewriting data, such as a memory, and set the memory (102) to Dynamic Random Ac
cess Memory (DRAM) and Static Random Access Memory (SR
Both may be configured separately such as a recording medium suitable for frequently rewriting data such as AM). The contents (program) of the memory (101) in which the program is stored may be set in advance by the device maker before the device is shipped, or as shown in FIG. 11, another recording medium storing the program before the device is operated. (Computer-readable recording medium).

FIG. 20 shows an example in which the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is constituted by a computer. In the figure, a recording / reproducing apparatus includes a computer main body (101003), a monitor (101001) for displaying images, and a speaker (1
01002), mouse (10100
4), a keyboard (101005), and a drive (101006) for recording and reproducing data on and from a recording medium (101007). A program for controlling the computer (101003) is stored in the recording medium (101007), and the program is read (installed) into the memory (10101) in the computer via the drive (101006) before operating as a recording / reproducing device. ). As a computer-readable recording medium (101007), a read-only disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a floppy disk, or the like can be considered. In addition, this recording medium
A rewritable medium such as a DVD-RAM may be used as (101007), and the program and data such as images and sounds described below may be mixedly recorded on the same medium.

The recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.
After receiving the operation instruction from the user in 2), the control unit (41)
Then, operation control for each unit described later is performed. During recording, signals such as images and sounds are input from the input unit (43),
The encoder (44) performs encoding such as the MPEG method. Encoded data such as moving images, still images, and audio are input to the drive (46) via the track buffer (45), and are stored in the recording medium (4).
7) Record above. At this time, the control unit also records the management information generated by the method shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, and 7.

Since it is difficult to simultaneously record the management information during the period in which the encoded data is recorded in real time, the recorded information is temporarily recorded in the memory (102) where the management information is recorded, and then the recording of the encoded data is terminated. It is controlled so that it is recorded on the recording medium (47) later. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the capacity of the memory (102).

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, after the management information is once read out from the recording medium (47) by the drive to the memory (102), the encoded data is read out based on the information and inputted to the track buffer (45). Track buffer (45)
The encoded data from is decoded by the decoder (48),
Output from the output unit (49).

Hereinafter, a computer-readable recording medium for realizing the still image recording method and the still image reproducing method of the present invention will be described focusing on the operation of the control unit (41) (that is, the contents of the program).

FIG. 9 shows an example of a still picture recording method used in the present invention. Recording is started from step (50). First, in step (51), the encoded stream data of the still image (VOB) (1) shown in FIG. 1 is recorded as a VOB file (11) on a recording medium. Proceed to (52).

In step (52), it is determined whether or not the still picture group management information (VOBGI) (3) corresponding to the still picture group (VOBG) (2) including the still picture (VOB) (1) already exists. Is determined, and if it exists, the process proceeds to step (53).

In step (53), the number of still images (VOB) in the still image group management information (VOBGI) (3) is increased by one,
Address of the still image (VOB) (1) recorded in step (51)
Add (9) and attribute (10) to the VOB map (6), and
Proceed to 4).

In step (54), the recording time (RECTM) of the still picture recorded in step (51) is compared with the first recording time (F_RECTM) (7) in the still picture group, and the RECTM is set to F_REC.
If the time is earlier than the TM (RECTM <F_RECTM), the process proceeds to step (55); otherwise, the process proceeds to step (56).
In normal operation, RECTM will not be older than F_RECTM, but use a common recording medium between different recording devices,
(RECTM <
F_RECTM), so this comparison is necessary.

In step (55), the value of F_RECTM is replaced with the value of RECTM. That is, the time that is the earliest in the still image group is set as the value of F_RECTM. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (56).

In step (56), the recording time (RECTM) of the still picture recorded in step (51) is compared with the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8) in the still picture group.
If the time is later than the TM (RECTM> L_RECTM), the process proceeds to step (57); otherwise, the process proceeds to step (61).
Normally, RECTM will be future than L_RECTM. However, if a common recording medium is used between different recording devices and each built-in clock has an error, (RECTM <L_RECTM)
This comparison is necessary because

In step (57), the value of L_RECTM is replaced with the value of RECTM. That is, a time that is the latest in time within this still image group is set as the value of L_RECTM. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (61).

In step (58), still image group management information (VOBGI) (3) is newly generated, the number of VOBs (5) is set to 1, and the still image (VOB) (1) recorded in step (51) is set. ) Are registered in the VOB map (6), and the process proceeds to step (59).

In step (59), the recording time (RECTM) of the still image recorded in step (51) is set to the first recording time (F_RECTM) (7) in the still image group, and the process proceeds to step (60). move on.

In step (60), the recording time (RECTM) of the still image recorded in step (51) is set to the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8) in the still image group, and the process proceeds to step (61). move on.

In step (61), the still picture group management information (VOBGI) (3) generated or updated as described above is
The data is recorded on the recording medium as the VOB management file (12), and the recording operation ends in step (62).

FIG. 10 shows an example of a still picture reproducing method used in the present invention. In the figure, a desired time (TM) is input from the operation unit (42) shown in FIG.
A method for selectively reproducing only the still image (VOB) (1) of FIG.

First, reproduction is started from step (63), and a desired time (TM) is inputted in step (64).
Proceed to.

In step (65), the first still picture group management information (VOBGI) (3) is set as a processing target. Here, the first still image group management information (VOBGI) may be, for example, the first registered still image group management information (VOBGI) when viewed from the beginning to the end of the VOB management file (12). . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (66).

In step (66), the time (TM) input in step (64) and the still image group management information (V
The first recording time (F_RECTM) (7) in (OBGI) (3) is compared with the last recording time (L_RECTM) (8), and TM is temporally future or equal to F_RECTM, and TM is A relationship that is past or equal in time than L_RECTM, that is, (F_REC
If the relationship is TM ≤ TM ≤ L_RECTM, the step (6
Go to 7), otherwise go to step (68).

In step (67), the still picture (VOB) (1) belonging to the still picture group (VOBG) (2) managed by the still picture group management information (VOBGI) (3) to be processed is reproduced. And proceed to step (68).

In step (68), it is determined whether or not the next still image group management information (VOBGI) exists. If so, the process proceeds to step (69). If not, the process proceeds to step (70). Proceed to. Here, the next still image group management information (V
OBGI) is, for example, the still image group management information (VOBGI) registered next to the still image group management information (VOBGI) currently being processed, as viewed from the beginning to the end of the VOB management file (12). And it is sufficient.

In step (69), the next still image group management information (VOBGI) is set as the next processing target, and step (66)
Proceed to.

In the step (70), the reproducing operation ends.

By the above operation, only the still image (VOB) (1) belonging to the still image group (VOBG) having the relationship of (F_RECTM ≦ TM ≦ L_RECTM) is selectively selected at the desired time (TM). Can be played.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to a DVD-RAM as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is apparent that other recording media can be similarly used.

As described above, the first object of the present invention can be achieved. That is, a search using a recording time (RECTM) of a still image can be realized for an enormous number of still images recorded on a large-capacity optical disk medium, and an increase in the data size of management information can be suppressed. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the second object will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and a method for recording the recording order and attributes of still images in management information will be described. In the figure, first, the MPEG method is used.
N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still images (VOB) (101) encoded with I pictures etc.
(102). Still image group (VOBG) (10
The number N of the still images (VOB) (101) in (2) is a fixed value (for example, 10
64, or when the operation mode is switched from moving image recording to still image recording, the next still image group (VOB
G) Control to generate (102). Still image (VOB) (101)
Data (encoded stream data) is recorded on a recording medium as a VOB file (1013) described later, and information for defining a still image group (VOBG) (102) is stored in a VOB management file.
It is recorded on the recording medium as (1014).

The VOB management file (1014) includes management information (VOBGI) (103) corresponding to each still image group (VOBG) (102). That is, management information (VOBGI) (103) is provided for each still image group (VOBG) (102). Note that information for managing M (where M is an integer of 1 or more) management information (VOBGI) (103) may be separately stored in the VOB management file (1014). Since they are not directly related, illustration is omitted here. The management information (VOBGI) (103) includes still image group identification information (VOBG_ID) (104), still image group address information
(VOBG_Address) (105), still image number information (VOBI_Number) (10
6), comprising a still image management information table (VOBI_Table) (107). Hereinafter, each item will be described.

Still picture group identification information (VOBG_ID) (104)
Is information for identifying the management information (VOBGI) (103) and the corresponding still image group (VOBG) (102).
This value is unique within the management file (1014). VO
It is also possible to substitute a serial number from the beginning in the B management file (1014), in which case the still image group identification information (VOBG_ID) (104) can be omitted.

Still picture group address information (VOBG_Addres
s) (105) is this still image group in the VOB file
(VOBG) has the start address of the encoded stream data belonging to (102). In addition, it may have an end address.

The still picture number information (VOBI_Number) (106) is the still picture (VOB) (101) belonging to this still picture group (VOBG) (102).
With the number of

Still picture management information table (VOBI_Table) (10
7) represents each still image (VOB) (1) in the still image group (VOBG) (102).
01) is composed of still image management information (VOBI) (108). At this time, the storage order of the still image management information (VOBI) (108) in the still image management information table (VOBI_Table) (107) is
It is stored in the same order as the recording order of (101). For example, the still image management information (VOBI) (108-1) shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the still image (VOB) (101-1).

The still picture management information (VOBI) (108) contains a still picture having no sound (hereinafter referred to as “sound”) reproduced in synchronization with the still picture according to the attribute of the corresponding still picture (VOB) (101). Management information
(First still image management information (V_I)) (109), management information of a still image having only sound (hereinafter, original sound) recorded at substantially the same time as the still image recording time (second still image management Information (V_
OA_I)) (1010), additional recording for already recorded still images
(Hereinafter, post-recording sound) management information (third still-image management information (V_AA)
_I)) (1011), management information of a still image having both original sound and post-recording sound (fourth still image management information (V_OA_AA_
I)) (1012).

As described above, the still image management information table (VOBI_
By configuring the Table (107), the recording order and attributes of the still images (VOB) (101) can be stored in the still image group management information (VOBGI) (103). In addition, still images (VOB) (10
When (1) is deleted, the corresponding still image management information (V
OBI) (108) is also deleted at the same time.

Next, referring to FIG. 14, the still picture management information (VOB
I) The detailed configuration of (108) will be shown, and a method for suppressing the data size of the management information will be described.

FIG. 14A shows the structure of the management information (109) of the still image without sound (first still image management information (V_I)). V_I (109) is the first as still image identification information (VOBI_ID).
Information for identifying that it is still image management information
(V_I_ID) (1033) and the image data size (V_Size) (1034). This is a data structure necessary and sufficient for reproducing a still image having no sound, and the data size of the management information is minimized by eliminating redundant parts. The method for obtaining the address of the image part (V_Part) will be described later.

FIG. 14B shows the management information of the still image having only the original sound (second still image management information (V_OA_I)) (1).
010). V_OA_I (1010) is the still image identification information (V
OBI_ID), identification information (V_OA_I_ID) (1035) for identifying the second still image management information, image data size (V_Size) (1036), and original audio data size
(OA_Size) (1037) and original audio playback time (OA_PTM)
(1038). This is a data structure necessary and sufficient for reproducing a still image having only the original sound, and the data size of the management information is minimized by eliminating redundant parts. A method for obtaining the addresses of the image part (V_Part) and the original audio part (OA_Part) will be described later.

FIG. 14C shows management information of a still image having only post-recording audio (third still image management information (V_AA_I)) (101).
The configuration of 1) is shown. V_AA_I (1011) is the still image identification information (VOB
Identification information (V_AA_I_ID) (1039) for identifying the third still image management information as (I_ID), image data size (V_Size) (1040), and after-recording audio pointer information (AA_I_PTR) (1041) described later. ). This is a data structure necessary and sufficient to reproduce a still image having only post-record audio, and the data size of the management information is reduced as much as possible by eliminating redundant portions. The image part (V_Par
The method of obtaining the address of (t) and the after-recording audio part (AA_Part) will be described later.

FIG. 14D shows the structure of the management information (the fourth still image management information (V_OA_AA_I)) (1012) of the still image having both the original sound and the after-recorded sound. V_OA_AA_I (10
12) is identification information (V_OA_AA_I_I) for identifying the fourth still image management information as still image identification information (VOBI_ID).
_ID) (1042), image data size (V_Size) (1043), original audio data size (OA_Size) (1044), original audio playback time (OA_PTM) (1045), and after-recording audio pointer information (AA_I_PTR ) (1046).

This is a necessary and sufficient data structure for reproducing a still image having both original sound and post-record sound, and the data size of the management information is minimized by eliminating redundant parts. The image part (V_Par
t), original audio part (OA_Part), and post-record audio part
A method for obtaining the address of (AA_Part) will be described later. FIG. 14E shows the still image identification information (VOBI_ID) (1
047) will be described in detail. Still image identification information (VOBI_ID) (10
47) is V_I_ID (1033), V_OA_I_ID (1035), V_AA_I_ID (10
39), TY (Type) for identifying any of V_OA_AA_ID (1042), and whether to reproduce still image (VOB) (101) corresponding to this still image identification information (VOBI_ID) (1047) PP (P
layback Permission). This PP is a flag indicating that 0 can be reproduced as usual, and 1 is a flag indicating that reproduction is prohibited, and has the same function as that described in the technology described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-169491.

As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14D, the attributes of still images are classified into four types, and the still image management information (VOBI) (108) having a necessary and sufficient data size is provided for each. The data size of the VOB management file (1014) can be minimized. For example, in the above technology, (a) a still image without sound, (b) a still image with only original sound, (c) a still image with only post-recording sound, (d) a still image with both original sound and post-recording sound Image management information (V_I) (1017) and audio management information (A_I)
The total data size of (1020) is (a) 2 bytes and (b) 1
1 byte, (c) 11 bytes, (d) 20 bytes,
In the method shown in FIG. 14, the still image management information (VOBI) (108)
The data size of (a) 2 bytes, (b) 6 bytes,
(c) 4 bytes and (d) 8 bytes. In addition,
For (c) and (d), management information of the after-recording audio part (AA_Part) is required separately, which will be described later.

Further, at the beginning of each still picture management information (VOBI) (108), still picture identification information (VOBI_ID) (10
47), the still image management information (VOBI) (108)
Can be determined. For example, VOBI
If the TY of _ID (1047) is 00, its VOBI_ID (1047) is V_I
(109), which indicates that the data size is 2 bytes in total. Therefore, for example, when the recording position of VOBI # 3 (108-3) in the VOBI_Table (107) shown in FIG.
The recording position of # 2 (108-2) is obtained, and the recording position of VOBI # 3 (108-3) can be obtained from the data size of VOBI # 2 (108-2).

FIG. 15A shows an example of a file structure used in an embodiment of the present invention. On a recording medium such as a DVD-RAM, encoded stream data such as still images, management information data, and the like are recorded as logical files. The recording medium has a directory structure starting from a root directory (1048), and generally includes a VOB file (1013) and a VOB management file (1014) in a subdirectory (1049).
Generate and hold The VOB file (1013) and the VOB management file (1014) may be recorded directly under the root directory (1048) without using the subdirectory (1049). Set up a directory (1013) and VOB management file (10
14) may be recorded.

FIG. 15B shows an example of the VOB file (1013), and shows a method of obtaining an address from the data size information shown in FIG. First, as shown in the figure, in one still image group (VOBG) (102), still images (VOB) (10
1) Image part (V_Part) and original audio part (OA_Part)
Only in the VOB file (1013) continuously. In other words, other data such as video data
When recording in the VOB file (1013), control is performed to generate another still image group (VOBG) (102) as described above. In the figure, as an example, the image portion of the still image # 1 (VOB # 1) (V
_Part # 1) (1050), still image # 2 (VOB # 2) image part (V_Part
# 2) (1051), and the original audio part (OA_Part # 2) (1052) recorded almost simultaneously with it, still image # 3 (VOB # 3) image part (V_Part # 3) (1053), still image # 4 This shows the contents of the VOB file when the image part (V_Part # 4) (1054) of (VOB # 4) and the original audio part (OA_Part # 4) (1055) recorded almost simultaneously therewith are sequentially recorded. At this time,
For example, the image part of still image # 3 (VOB # 3) (V_Part # 3) (1053)
To obtain the start address of V_Part #
1 (1050) data size (V_Size #
1), data size of V_Part # 2 (1051) (V_Size # 2), OA
_Part # 2 (1052) data size (OA_Size # 2) is added in order, and the still image group address information (VOBG_Addres
s) It can be seen that it is sufficient to add the start address of V_Part # 1 (1050) recorded in (105). In this way, if there is a method of obtaining an address by integrating the data size, for example, even if still image # 3 (VOB # 3) is deleted, still image # 4 (VOB # 4) after that It is not necessary to update the content of the management information, and the time required for reconfiguring the management information can be greatly reduced.

Note that the after-recording audio part (AA_Part) is additionally recorded irrespective of the recording order of the image part (V_Part), and the image part (V_Part) and the original audio part (OA_Pa
rt), the number is expected to be much smaller than
The data structure is different from _Part and OA_Part. For example, the voice management information table (A_I_Table) (1019) shown in FIG.
The audio management information (A_I) (1020) is provided as follows, the address information (A_Address) (1023) of the after-recording audio part (AA_Part), the audio data size (A_Size) (1024), the audio playback time (A_PTM)
(1025) should be recorded. If the post-recording voice pointer information (AA_I_PTR) (1041) (1046) shown in FIG. 14 indicates the number (# 1 or the like) of the voice management information (A_I) (1020),
After-recording audio part corresponding to the still image management information (VOBI)
The address, data size, and reproduction time of (AA_Part) can be obtained. At this time, since the number of post-recording voices is limited to one, voice pointer information (A_I_PTR) (1026) for linking to other voice data is not required, and voice pointer information (A_I_PTR) (1026) can be omitted.

If the data configuration is such that only the after-recording audio part (AA_Part) is collected, the audio data size (A_Size)
Since the address can be obtained by integrating (1024) from the beginning, the address information (A_Address) (1023) can also be omitted.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. The recording / reproducing apparatus may be configured as dedicated hardware, or may be configured to control general-purpose hardware such as a personal computer according to a control procedure (hereinafter, a program) described later. In either case, the control unit (1056) operates based on the program stored in the memory (10101) where the program is stored. The memory where the program is stored (10101)
May be used on the same recording medium as the memory (10102) in which the management information described later is recorded, or the memory (10101) is suitable for frequently rewriting data such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a flash memory. No storage media and memory (1010
2) with Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) or Static Ra
Both may be configured separately such as a recording medium suitable for frequently rewriting data such as an ndom Access Memory (SRAM). Memory where the program is stored (10101)
The content (program) may be set in advance by the device maker before shipping the device, or, as shown in FIG. 20, from another recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) storing the program before the device operates. It may be configured to read.

FIG. 20 shows an example in which the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is constituted by a computer. In the figure, a recording / reproducing apparatus includes a computer main body (101003), a monitor (101001) for displaying images, and a speaker (1
01002), mouse (10100
4), a keyboard (101005), and a drive (101006) for recording and reproducing data on and from a recording medium (101007). A program for controlling the computer (101003) is stored in the recording medium (101007), and the program is read into the memory (1010101) in the computer via the drive (101006) before operating as a recording / reproducing device (installation). ). Computer-readable recording medium (101007)
For example, a read-only disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and the like can be considered. Alternatively, the recording medium (101007) may be a rewritable medium such as a DVD-RAM, and the program and data such as images and sounds described below may be mixedly recorded on the same medium.

The recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.
After receiving the operation instruction from the user in (1057), the control unit
From (1056), operation control for each unit described later is performed. At the time of recording, a signal such as an image and a sound is input from the input unit (1058), and the encoder (1059) performs encoding such as the MPEG method. Video, still image, encoded data such as audio is input to the drive (1061) via the track buffer (1060),
The information is recorded on a recording medium (1062). At this time, the control unit (1056)
, The management information generated by the method shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 is also recorded. During the period when the encoded data is recorded in real time, it is difficult to record the management information at the same time, so once the management information is recorded in the memory (10102) where the management information is recorded, the recording medium is recorded after the end of the encoded data recording. (106
2) Control to record above. One of the objects of the present invention is to reduce the capacity of the memory (10102).

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the management information is temporarily read from the recording medium (1062) by the drive (1061) to the memory (10102), and then the encoded data is read based on the information and input to the track buffer (1060). I do. The encoded data from the track buffer (1060) is sent to the decoder (1063)
And output from the output unit (1064). The detailed operation of each of the above-described units is described in the technology described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-169491, and the detailed configuration can be realized by a known technology. Hereinafter, the control unit (1
The recording method and the reproducing method of the present invention will be described focusing on the operation (ie, the content of the program) of step 056).

FIG. 17 shows an example of the original recording method used in the present invention. Start recording from step (1065),
In step (1066), a still image group (VOBG) (102) in which the still image (VOB) (101) is to be recorded and the corresponding still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) are determined, and step (1067) Proceed to). At this time, for example, immediately after recording the still image (VOB) (101), the same still image group (VOBG) (102)
And still image group management information (VOBGI) (103). Also, when the number of still images in the still image group (VOBG) (102) reaches a predetermined number (for example, 1064),
After recording other data such as video, a new still image group (VOBG) (102) and still image group management information (VO
BGI) (103) may be generated.

In step (1067), the coded stream data of the image portion (V_Part) of the still image (VOB) (101) is recorded as a VOB file (1013) on the recording medium (1062), and the flow advances to step (1068). .

In step (1068), it is determined whether or not to record the original voice. If not, the flow proceeds to step (1069), and if it is to be recorded, the flow proceeds to step (1070). At this time, before recording a still image, the user determines an operation mode indicating whether or not to record original sound, stores the result in a mode switch or a mode memory provided in the recording device, and changes the storage state. The above determination may be made based on this.

In the step (1069), the still image management information table (VOBI_Table) (107) in the still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) shown in FIG. Information (first still image management information (V_I)) (109) is added to identify the first still image management information in (V_I) (109) as shown in FIG. Identification information (V_I
_ID) and the image data size (V_Size) (1034) are recorded, and the flow advances to step (1072). In step (1070), the still image (VO
B) The original audio part (OA_Par
The encoded stream data of t) is additionally recorded in the VOB file (1013), and the process proceeds to step (1071).

In step (1071), the still picture management information table (VOBI_Ta) in the still picture group management information (VOBGI) (103)
ble) (107), management information (second still image management information (V_OA_I)) (1010) of a still image having only the original sound is added to the end of (107), and (V_OA_I) (1010 ), Identification information (V_OA_I_ID), image data size (V_Size) (1036), original audio data size (1037), and original audio playback time (OA_PTM) for identifying the second still image management information (1038) is recorded, and the flow advances to step (1072).

In step (1072), the original recording operation ends.

FIG. 18 shows an example of an after-recording method used in the present invention. Start recording from step (1073), and in step (1074) the user
(VOB) (101) and the control unit (105
6) The still image group (V) to which the still image (VOB) (101) belongs
OBG) (102), and corresponding still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) and still image management information (VOBI) (108) are determined, and the process proceeds to step (1075).

In step (1075), the still picture management information (VOBI) (108) selected in step (1074) is changed to V_I (109), V_OA_
Which type of I (1010), V_AA_I (1011), V_OA_AA_I (1012) is determined by VOBI_ID (1047) shown in FIG.
If _I (109), go to step (1076), if V_OA_I (1010), go to step (1077), V_AA_I (1011) or V_OA_AA_I (101
If 2), go to step (1078).

In step (1076), V_I (109) is changed to V_AA_I (1
011) and goes to step (1079). That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the TY value of VOBI_ID (1047) is changed from 00 to 101.
The area (2) for storing the post-record audio pointer information (AA_I_PTR) (1041) by changing the management information after VOBI_ID (1047) to 2 bytes on the memory while copying Space).

In step (1077), V_OA_I (1010) is
Change to _AA_I (1012) and proceed to step (1079). That is, the value of the TY of the VOBI_ID (1047) is changed from 01 to 11, and the management information after the VOBI_ID (1047) is copied on the memory by shifting by 2 bytes, so that the after-recording voice pointer information ( Free an area (2 bytes) for storing (AA_I_PTR) (1046).

In step (1078), AA_I_PTR (1041) or V_OA_AA_I (1012) recorded in V_AA_I (1011)
Using the AA_I_PTR (1046) recorded in the file, a post-recording audio part (AA_Part) corresponding to this still image is searched for and deleted, and the flow advances to step (1079).

In step (1079), the after-recording audio portion (A
A_Part) encoded stream data on the recording medium (1062).
And proceed to step (1080).

In step (1080), pointer information (AA_I_PTR) (1041 or 1046) for linking to the after-recording audio part (AA_Part) recorded in step (1079) is stored in VOBI_ID
The value is set in (1047), and post-recording is ended in step (1081).

FIG. 19 shows an example of a still picture reproducing method used in the present invention. First, start playback from step (1082),
In step (1083), which still image group (VOBG) (102)
Is determined, the corresponding still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) is determined, and the flow advances to step (1084). At this time, the user may directly select and determine, or the order in which the still image groups (VOBG) (102) are actually recorded, or the still image group management information (VOBGI) in the VOB management file (1014). Still image group management information (VOBGI) (103) may be selected in order according to the order in which (103) is recorded, or according to a reproduction order predetermined by the user. The reproduction order determined by the user may be recorded as CellI in the PGCI in the PGCI table described in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-169491.

In step (1084), the still picture management information (VOBI) in the still picture management information table (VOBI_Table) (107) recorded in the still picture group management information (VOBGI) (103)
The still image (VOB) (101) is reproduced according to the order of (108).
The procedure is shown in steps (1085) to (1092).

In step (1085), still picture management information (VOBI) (108) corresponding to the still picture (VOB) (101) to be displayed first
Is selected as a processing target, and the flow advances to step (1086). At this time, the first VOBI recorded in the VOBI_Table (107)
(108) (VOBI # 1 (108-1) in the case of FIG. 11) may be the processing target, or VOBI (108) predetermined by the user may be the processing target. In addition, VOBI (108)
May be recorded as Cell_Start_Video in CellI described in the technology described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-169491.

In the step (1086), the VOBI (10) to be processed is obtained from the VOBI (108) recorded at the head of the VOBI_Table (107).
Until just before 8), V_Size (10) recorded in VOBI (108)
34, 1036, 1040, or 1043) and OA_Size (1
037, 1044), and the integrated value is added to the start address in the still image group address information (VOBG_Address) (105) to determine the address of the desired image part (V_Part), and step (1085) The V_Part (any one of 1034, 1036, 1040, 1043) recorded in the VOBI (108) determined in the above is used to determine the data size of the V_Part, read out the V_Part from the recording medium (1062), and use the decoder (1063) An image is reproduced from the output unit (1064) by performing processing such as decoding, and the process proceeds to step (1087).

In step (1087), the VOBI (10
8) is V_I (109), V_OA_I (1010), V_AA_I (1011), V_OA_A
Which type of A_I (1012) is determined by VOBI_ID (1047), if V_I (109), go to step (1091), V_OA_I (1010)
If so, go to step (1088), if V_AA_I (1011), step
If V_OA_AA_I (1012), go to step (1090).

In step (1088), the original audio portion (OA) is extracted from OA_Size (1037) recorded in V_OA_I (1010).
_Part) and determine the data size
Add the data size of the V_Part to the address of the V_Part obtained in (1086) to obtain the address of the OA_Part, and set the recording medium (1062)
OA_Part is read out from the above, a process such as decoding is performed by the decoder (1063), audio is reproduced from the output unit (1064), and the process proceeds to step (1091). In step (1089), V_AA_I (101
Using the AA_I_PTR (1041) recorded in (1), the still image and the corresponding audio dubbing audio part (AA_Part) are searched, read out from the recording medium (1062), and then decoded by the decoder (1063). To reproduce the sound from the output unit (1064), and then proceed to step (1091).

In step (1090), the original audio part (OA_Part) or the after-recording audio part (AA_P
art), and to reproduce the OA_Part, the same procedure as in the step (1088) is applied to the V_OA
_AA_I (1012) reads and reproduces OA_Part using OA_Size (1044) recorded in _AA_I (1012), and reproduces AA_Part in the same procedure as step (1089).
AA_Part using AA_I_PTR (1046) recorded in 12)
Is read and reproduced, and the flow advances to step (1091).

In step (1091), the VOBI (10
8) is the last VOBI or not
Proceed to (1093), otherwise proceed to step (1092).
At this time, as the last VOBI, the last VOBI (108) recorded in the VOBI_Table (107) (VOBI # in the case of FIG. 11)
5 (108-5)) or VOBI defined by the user in advance.
(108) may be used. The VOBI specified by the user
(108) may be recorded as Cell_End_Video in CellI described in the technology described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-169491.

In step (1092), the next VOBI (108) recorded in the VOBI_Table (107) is processed, and the flow advances to step (1086).

At the step (1093), the reproducing operation ends.

By the above operation, the still picture management information (VOBI) (108) in the still picture management information table (VOBI_Table) (107)
, The still image (VOB) (101) can be reproduced.

Although the above description has been made with reference to DVD-RAM and DVD-R as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is apparent that other recording media can be similarly used. is there. The data size (1 byte or the like) of each unit shown in FIG. 14 is an example for explaining the operation,
It is not limited to this data size.

As described above, the second object of the present invention can be achieved. In other words, a huge amount of still image data and audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with it are recorded on a large-capacity optical disk medium, and even when some still images are deleted, the time required for reconstructing the management information and the time The data size of the management information can be significantly reduced.

[0131]

As described above, it is possible to search for a huge number of still images recorded on a large-capacity optical disk medium using the recording time (RECTM) of the still images and increase the data size of the management information. Can be suppressed.

Further, even when a huge number of still image data and audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the still image data are recorded on a large-capacity optical disk medium and a part of the still image is deleted, it is necessary to reconstruct the management information. Time and the data size of the management information can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a directory structure used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of time information used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a directory structure used in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example of a still image recording method used in the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an example of a still image reproducing method used in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a technique proposed by the present inventors.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a technique proposed by the present inventors.

FIG. 14 is a more detailed block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a file used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an example of a recording method used in the present invention.

FIG. 18 is another example of a recording method used in the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an example of a reproducing method used in the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... still image (VOB); 2 ... still image group (VOBG); 3 ... still image group management information (VOBGI); 4 ... still image group identifier (V
OBG_ID); 5 VOB number information; 6 VOB map; 7 First recording time (F_RECTM); 8 Last recording time (L_RECTM); 9, 31, 37
... address; 10,38 ... attribute; 11 ... VOB file; 12 ... VOB
Management file; 13 Root directory; 14 Subdirectory; 15 Year; 16 Month; 17 Day; 18 Hours; 19 Minutes;
20: seconds; 21: Pointer information (RECTMI_P) to still image recording time management information (RECTMI); 22: still image recording time management information (REC
TMI); 23 ... Recording time (RECTM); 24 ... THM file; 25 ... TH
M management file; 26: still image management information (VOBI); 27, 30: thumbnail identifier (THM_ID); 28: thumbnail image data (T
HM); 29: Thumbnail management information (THMI); 32, 39: Recording time
(RECTM); 33: Pointer information (THMGI_P) to thumbnail group management information (THMGI); 34: Thumbnail group management information (THMGI); 35: THM number information; 36: THM map; 40: Thumbnail group; 41: Control Section 42 Operating section 43 Input section 44 Encoder 45 Track buffer 46 Drive 47 Recording medium 48 Decoder 49 Output section 50,5
1,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,6
7, 68, 69, 70: Step; 101: Memory for storing programs; 102: Memory for recording management information; 101: Still image (V
OB); 102: Still image group (VOBG); 103: Still image group management information (VOBGI); 104: Still image group identification information (VOB)
G_ID); 105: Still picture group address information (VOBG_Addres
s); 106: Still image number information (VOBI_Number); 107: Still image management information table (VOBI_Table); 108: Still image management information (VOBI_Table)
BI); 109: Management information of still image without sound (first still image management information (V_I)); 1010: Management information of still image having only original sound (second still image management information (V_OA_I)) );
1011: Management information of a still image having only post-recording audio (third still image management information (V_AA_I)); 1012: Management information of a still image having both original sound and post-recording audio (fourth)
Still image management information (V_OA_AA_I)); 1013 ... VOB file; 1
014: VOB management file; 1015: Image number information (V_I_Numbe
r); 1016 ... Image management information table (V_I_Table); 1017 ...
Image management information (V_I); 1018 ... Number of audio information (A_I_Number); 1
019: Voice management information table (A_I_Table); 1020: Voice management information (A_I); 1021, 1034, 1036, 1040, 1043: Image data size (V_Size); 1022, 1026: Voice pointer information (A_I_PT)
R); 1023 ... Audio address information; 1024 ... Audio data size
(A_Size); 1025 ... Audio playback time (A_PTM); 1027,1029,103
0,1031,1050,1051,1053,1054 ... Image part (V_Part); 102
8, 1032 ... audio part (A_Part); 1033 ... identification information (V_I_ID) for identifying the first still image management information; 1035
... Identification information (V_OA_I_ID) for identifying the second still image management information; 1037,1044 ... Original audio data size (OA_Size); 1038,1045 ... Original audio reproduction time
(OA_PTM); 1039: identification information (V_AA_I_ID) for identifying the third still image management information; 1041, 1046 ... post-record audio pointer information (AA_I_PTR); 1042: fourth still image management information Identification information (V_OA_AA_I
_ID); 1047: Still image identification information (VOBI_ID); 1048: Root directory; 1049: Subdirectory; 1052, 1055 ...
Original audio part (OA_Part); 1056… Control unit; 1057…
Operation unit 1058 Input unit 1059 Encoder 1060 Track buffer 1061 Drive 1062 Recording medium 1063
... Decoder; 1064 ... Output unit; 1065,1066,1067,1068,106
9,1070,1071,1072,1073,1074,1075,1076,1077,1078,107
9,1080,1081,1082,1083,1084,1085,1086, 1087,1088,10
89,1090,1091,1092,1093 ... step; 10101 ... memory for storing program; 10102 ... memory for recording management information; 101001 ... monitor; 101002 speaker; 101003 ... computer; 101004 ... mouse; 101005 ... keyboard; 101006: Drive; 101007: Recording medium.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 20, 2000 (2009.2)
0)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Title: Playback apparatus, playback method, and computer-readable recording medium

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/92 H04N 5/91 N 5/92 H (72) Inventor Tamotsu Ito Yoshida, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture 292, Hitachi, Ltd. Digital Media Development Division, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium on which still image data (VOB) is recorded, wherein N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still image data (VOB) is managed as a still image group (VOBG). The still image group management information (VOBGI) has a still image group management information (VOBGI), and the still image group management information (VOBGI) has a recording time (F_RE) of still image data (VOB) recorded first in time in the still image group (VOBG).
(CTM) and the recording time of the last recorded still image data (VOB)
(L_RECTM). 2. A recording medium on which still image data (VOB) is recorded, wherein N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still image data (VOB) is managed as a still image group (VOBG). Still image group management information (VOBGI) and still image recording time management information (RECT) for managing the recording time (RECTM) for each still image (VOB)
MI), and the still image group management information (VOBGI) has pointer information (RECT) to the still image recording time management information (RECTMI).
TMI_P). 3. A recording medium on which still image data (VOB) is recorded, wherein thumbnail image data (THM) corresponding to the still image data (VOB) and thumbnail management for managing the thumbnail image data (THM). Information (THMI), and the thumbnail management information (THMI) includes a recording time (RECTM) for each still image (VOB).
A recording medium characterized by having still image recording time management information (RECTMI) for managing the information. 4. A recording medium on which still image data (VOB) is recorded, wherein thumbnail image data (THM) corresponding to the still image data (VOB) and a plurality of thumbnail image data
A recording medium having thumbnail group management information (THMGI) for managing (THM) as a thumbnail group (THMG). 5. The still image group management information according to claim 4, wherein N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still image data (VOB) is managed as a still image group (VOBG).
(VOBGI) and a thumbnail group (THMG) having a grouping unit that matches the still image group (VOBG). 6. A recording apparatus for recording still picture data (VOB) on a recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said still picture data (VOB) is recorded.
B), and the time (RECTM) when the still image data (VO
First recording time held in the still image group management information (VOBGI) corresponding to the still image group (VOBG) to which B) belongs
(F_RECTM), and if the RECTM is temporally earlier than the F_RECTM (RECTM <F_RECTM), the content of the F_RECTM is replaced with the RECTM and recorded. 7. A recording apparatus for recording still picture data (VOB) on a recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said still picture data (VOB) is recorded.
B), and the time (RECTM) when the still image data (VO
Last recording time stored in the still image group management information (VOBGI) corresponding to the still image group (VOBG) to which B) belongs
(L_RECTM), and if the RECTM is temporally later than the L_RECTM (RECTM> L_RECTM), the content of the L_RECTM is replaced with the RECTM and recorded. 8. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing an optical disk according to claim 1, wherein: an operation section for inputting a desired time (TM); and the time (TM) and first recording for each still image group (VOBG). Times of Day
(F_RECTM) and a control unit for comparing the last recording time (L_RECTM), and means for reading and reproducing still image data (VOB) from the recording medium, wherein TM is temporally future or equal to F_RECTM, and TM is temporally past or equal to L_RECTM (F_RECTM ≤ TM ≤ L_RECTM)
Still image (VOB) belonging to a still image group (VOBG)
A playback device that controls to selectively display only the information. 9. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is an optical disk. 10. A computer-readable recording medium storing a procedure for controlling a computer to record still image data and still image data management information on a medium, wherein the still image data management information is N (where N is Still image group management information (VOBGI) that manages still image data (VOB) of 1 or more) as still image groups (VOBG);
The still image group management information (VOBGI) is the still image data (VBGI) recorded first in time within the still image group (VOBG).
A computer-readable procedure storing a procedure for controlling the computer to record including the recording time (F_RECTM) of the (OB) and the recording time (L_RECTM) of the last recorded still image data (VOB) recoding media. 11. A recording medium on which still image data (VOB) is recorded, wherein N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) still image data (VOB) is managed as a still image group (VOBG). It has still image group management information (VOBGI), and the still image group management information (VOBGI) has a still image management information table (VOBI_Tabl
e), and the still image management information table (VOBI_Table) has
Management information of a still image having no audio (hereinafter, audio) reproduced in synchronization with a still image (hereinafter, first still image management information (V_I))
And still image management information (hereinafter, second still image management information (V_OA_I)) having only audio recorded at substantially the same time as the still image recording time (hereinafter, original audio), and the already recorded still image Audio that is additionally recorded (hereinafter, dubbed) for the image
(Hereinafter referred to as dubbed audio)
(Hereinafter, third still image management information (V_AA_I)) and still image management information having both original sound and post-record sound
(Hereinafter, referred to as fourth still image management information (V_OA_AA_I)), and has still image management information (VOB) in the still image management information table (VOBI_Table).
A recording medium characterized in that the storage order of I) is the same as the recording order of still images (VOB). 12. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the first still image management information (V_I) is identification information (V_I) for identifying the first still image management information (V_I). V_I_ID)
And the still image (VOB) image data (V_
A recording medium having size information (V_Size) of Part). 13. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein said second still picture management information (V_OA_I) is identification information (V_OA_I) for identifying said second still picture management information (V_OA_I). V_O
A_I_ID), size information (V_Size) of the image data (V_Part) of the still image (VOB) corresponding to the management information, and size information of the original audio data (OA_Part) of the still image (VOB) corresponding to the management information (OA_Size) and the original audio data (OA_P
recording medium (OA_PTM). 14. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein said third still picture management information (V_AA_I) is identification information (V_AA_I) for identifying said third still picture management information (V_AA_I). V_A
A_I_ID), the size information (V_Size) of the image data (V_Part) of the still image (VOB) corresponding to the management information, and a link to the post-record audio data (AA_Part) of the still image (VOB) corresponding to the management information A recording medium having pointer information (AA_I_PTR) for setting 15. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the fourth still picture management information (V_OA_AA_I) is identification information (V_OA_AA_I) for identifying that it is fourth still picture management information (V_OA_AA_I). V_OA_AA_I_ID) and a still image (V
OB) image data (V_Part) size information (V_Size), still image (VOB) original audio data (OA_Part) size information (OA_Part) corresponding to the management information, and original audio data (OA_Part) Playback time (OA_PTM) and post-record audio data (AA_Part) of still image (VOB) corresponding to the management information
A recording medium having pointer information (AA_I_PTR) for linking to a recording medium. 16. An optical disk recording apparatus for recording at least still image data (VOB) on a recording medium according to claim 11, wherein when recording still image data (VOB), the original audio is not recorded. The first still image management information
(V_I), and when recording the original audio, selecting the second still image management information (V_OA_I) and additionally recording the same in the still image management information table (VOBI_Table). . 17. An optical disk recording apparatus for recording at least still image data (VOB) on a recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the audio recording is performed on the already recorded still image data (VOB). When dubbing a still image having no original sound, the first still image management information (V_I) corresponding to the still image (VOB) is replaced with the third still image management information (V_AA_I), When dubbing to a still image having original sound, the second still image management information (V_OA_I) corresponding to the still image (VOB) is replaced with the fourth still image management information (V_OA_AA_I), and the still image management A recording device for recording in an information table (VOBI_Table). 18. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium according to claim 11, wherein said still image management information table (VOBI_Ta
ble) according to the order of the still picture management information (VOBI) recorded in the still picture management information (VOBI).
A playback device for playing back music. 19. A recording medium in which an image data group including one or more image data and image data group management information including information for accessing image data in the image data group are recorded. The management information depends on whether or not accompanied by audio to be reproduced in synchronization with the corresponding image data, and whether or not accompanied by audio to be additionally recorded on the corresponding image data and reproduced in synchronization with the image data. Recording media characterized by being classified into two types. 20. A recording medium on which image data is recorded, management information relating to image data having no audio, management information relating to image data having only audio recorded at substantially the same time as the recording time of the image data, Management information on image data having only audio additionally recorded with respect to the recorded image data, or audio recorded at approximately the same time as the image data recording time and audio additionally recorded with respect to the already recorded image data. A recording medium characterized by recording identification information for identifying any of the management information regarding the image data. 21. A recording medium according to claim 20, wherein a recording order of said identification information is the same as a recording order of image data recorded on said recording medium. 22. A recording apparatus for recording image data and image data management information on a recording medium, wherein the image data management information is recorded at substantially the same time as the management information on image data without sound and the image data recording time. Management information relating to image data having only audio, management information relating to image data having only audio added to already recorded image data, or audio recorded at approximately the same time as the image data recording time and already recorded A recording apparatus which classifies and records any of the management information on image data having sound additionally recorded with respect to the recorded image data. 23. A recording method for recording image data and management information relating to the image data on a recording medium, comprising: management information relating to image data having no sound, and only sound recorded at substantially the same time as the recording time of the image data. Management information relating to image data, management information relating to image data having only audio recorded additionally to already recorded image data, or audio recorded at substantially the same time as image data recording time and already recorded image data A recording method of recording, as a part of the management information relating to the image data, identification information for identifying any one of the management information relating to the image data having the voice recorded additionally to the image data. 24. A recording method for recording image data and image data management information on a recording medium, wherein the image data management information is recorded at substantially the same time as the management information on image data without sound and the image data recording time. Management information relating to image data having only audio, management information relating to image data having only audio added to already recorded image data, or audio recorded at approximately the same time as the image data recording time and already recorded A recording method characterized by classifying and recording any of management information on image data having sound additionally recorded with respect to the recorded image data. 25. A computer-readable recording medium storing a procedure for controlling a computer so as to record image data and image data management information on a medium, wherein the image data management information is management information relating to image data without sound. Management information on image data having only audio recorded at substantially the same time as the image data recording time, management information on image data having only audio added to already recorded image data, or image data recording Stores a procedure for controlling a computer to classify and record any of audio data recorded at approximately the same time as the management information on image data having audio that has been additionally recorded with respect to already recorded image data. A computer-readable recording medium characterized by the following. 26. A computer-readable recording medium storing a procedure for controlling a computer so as to record image data and image data management information on the medium. At about the same time as the management information about the image data having only the sound recorded at substantially the same time, the management information about the image data having only the sound additionally recorded with respect to the already recorded image data, or the image data recording time. As identification information for identifying any of the management information relating to the image data having the recorded audio and the audio data additionally recorded with respect to the already recorded image data, as part of the management information relating to the image data. A computer storing a procedure for controlling the computer to record the data; Data-readable recording medium. 27. A computer-readable recording medium storing a procedure for controlling a computer so as to record image data and image data management information on a medium, wherein the image data management information is management information relating to image data without sound. Management information on image data having only audio recorded at substantially the same time as the image data recording time, management information on image data having only audio added to already recorded image data, or image data recording Stores a procedure for controlling a computer to classify and record any of audio data recorded at approximately the same time as the management information on image data having audio that has been additionally recorded with respect to already recorded image data. A computer-readable recording medium characterized by the following.